Ukraine Seeks More Belgian Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot to discuss continued military and financial assistance, air defense, sanctions against Russia and Ukraine’s progress toward European Union membership.

Zelenskyy thanked Belgium for providing €1 billion in support this year and continuing its F-16 program. He said strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses was a priority as Russian forces continue striking cities and communities. The two officials also discussed Belgian assistance with shelters, support for Ukraine’s agricultural exports and preparations for a new EU sanctions package against Russia.

Prévot said Belgium had provided €1.1 billion in financial support and committed €200 million to the PURL initiative. Belgium’s development agency, Enabel, has helped build shelters, repair medical facilities and supply generators to schools, kindergartens and public utilities in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. Additional assistance is planned for healthcare, civil society and people injured in Russian attacks.

The officials also discussed a proposed drone agreement, Ukraine’s financial resilience, frozen Russian assets and reconstruction efforts. Zelenskyy urged support for opening the remaining EU accession clusters, saying one or two could be opened as early as September, and emphasized the need to involve businesses in rebuilding the country.