EU leaders at Brussels summit pledge support for Zelensky
European Council President António Costa told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels that Kyiv can count on Europe, and urged tightening rather than easing sanctions on Russia. EU leaders plan to discuss additional aid for Ukraine for the coming years.
At a European Union summit in Brussels, European Council President António Costa assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Kyiv can rely on European backing. The statement came as Ukraine faces pressure from the United States and warns of a funding shortfall next year.
"You can count on us," Costa told reporters, standing alongside Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelensky, who travelled to Brussels for the summit, thanked EU leaders for their support.
Dispute with the US over sanctions and fuel
US President Donald Trump has criticised Zelensky over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, claiming they have pushed up global fuel prices, and has called for Ukraine's president to be replaced. Fuel and oil prices have, however, been rising since late February, when the US began a war against Iran that led to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route.
Citing a US official, Reuters reported that the Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on "shadow fleet" vessels that have carried oil from countries such as Russia, Iran and Venezuela. Trump has already lifted sanctions on Russian diesel until 7 April.
"This is not the right time to ease sanctions on Russia. Now is the time to increase our support [for Ukraine], to increase our pressure [on Russia]," Costa said.
On Sunday Trump unilaterally declared an energy truce between Russia and Ukraine. According to Zelensky, Ukraine reluctantly complied for three days, even as Russia kept attacking Ukrainian energy facilities. Von der Leyen said Russia did not observe the truce and stepped up its attacks, and called on the EU to begin work on a new sanctions package. Kyiv says the US has also reduced the intelligence data available to Ukraine and restricted the Starlink satellite internet service.
Funding for the coming years
Last year the EU set up a €90 billion support loan for Kyiv covering 2026 and 2027. Although this year's budget is fully funded, Kyiv has warned of a significant gap in 2027. Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said last month that the country lacks $32.6 billion for economic support and $45 billion for defence.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said before the talks that Europe will need to increase its financial support for Ukraine. EU leaders plan to start discussions on additional support for the coming years.
