Zelenskyy Aligns With EU Pre-Meeting

Before today’s pivotal European Council meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened with European Council President António Costa in Brussels to unify their strategies. The leaders’ talks were crucial in addressing the newly approved 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, aimed at intensifying pressures amid ongoing conflicts.

This morning’s sanctions include novel measures such as targeting Russia’s shadow oil fleet, its banking sector, and a prohibition on Russian LNG imports. For the first time, it also imposes sanctions on cryptocurrency platforms involved in Russian transactions. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the EU’s steadfast support and emphasized the significance of these sanctions, considering Russia’s continuous assaults on Ukrainian civilian targets including schools and hospitals.

In response, António Costa highlighted the necessity for the EU and its allies to sustain their support for Ukraine, ensuring the provision of long-term financial aid and military resources for 2026 and 2027. The focus of the meeting also spanned defense assistance, where Ukraine seeks robust cooperation under the EU’s SAFE instrument and wishes to integrate into the EU’s investment plans for defense needs, including a new initiative to counteract drone threats.

Additionally, the discussions touched upon Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to join the European Union, underscoring the urgency of opening negotiating clusters to expedite the accession process. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to steer today’s European Council meeting towards more decisive actions in support of Ukraine.