EU rallies in support of Ukraine amid Trump standoff

What the report says

European Union leaders used a summit in Brussels on Friday to reaffirm support for Ukraine as tensions grew between Kyiv and Washington. The meeting, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, came amid concerns that reduced US backing could leave Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian attacks, especially as winter approaches and strikes on energy infrastructure intensify.

According to Al Jazeera, EU officials said the bloc should continue arming Ukraine and keeping sanctions on Russia. European Council President Antonio Costa said the moment called for more support and more pressure on Moscow. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also pledged continued assistance, while some leaders, including Estonia’s prime minister, signaled that a new loan may be needed to help Ukraine cover a budget gap next year.

Zelenskyy used the summit to press for additional funding, asking the EU for 70 billion euros, or about $79 billion, for 2026. He said Ukraine’s war costs would remain very high and that the money would help with defense, weapons and broader resilience. Al Jazeera reported that air defenses were a major focus of his appeal, and that he urged European states to consider using their own stockpiles to meet Ukraine’s needs.

The meeting also highlighted a widening gap between European leaders and US President Donald Trump, who has recently clashed with Zelenskyy over peace efforts and Russia-related policy. Some European officials, however, were said to be cautious about openly escalating that dispute because of the risk of straining ties with Washington.