Ukraine Warupdated 1h ago3 min read
Zelenskyy Tells EU Leaders Moscow’s Peace Stance Is ‘Parody’ Amid Russian Missile Attacks
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Zelenskyy called Moscow's peace stance a parody of peace negotiations. EU leaders discuss boosting funding for Ukraine, with about €70 billion requested for 2027.
9 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Russian Forces Launch Massive Attack, Leaving 600,000 Without Power in Ukraine →
EU summit, winter pressure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told European leaders in Brussels that Moscow’s stance on peace talks was a "parody" as missiles and drones rained down on Ukrainian cities and Ukraine faced a fifth full winter of attack since Russia's invasion.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the EU would probably have to provide a new loan to Ukraine to help cover its budget gap for next year, warning, "Last winter was already hell, this one will be, once again, like hell."
In the latest Russian attacks early Friday, Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said two people died and 12 more were wounded in attacks on three districts of the eastern city of Kharkiv.
Gov. Roman Romaniuk said a drone strike on a food-processing facility in the northwestern region of Volyn killed one person and wounded eight others.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, "Starlink is really necessary for Ukraine," and added that "in short term, Europe can't replace this capability."
Diesel deal sparks rift
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "We will not lift the sanctions until Russia stops the war," as tension between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenski peaked over the White House decision to roll back sanctions in exchange for Moscow releasing diesel on global markets. European Council President António Costa told Zelenski, "Now is not the time to ease pressure on Russia," and said it was time to increase support and intensify pressure to get Russia to agree to a real ceasefire. Ulf Kristersson said, "We deeply regret this diesel deal," and argued that any step that helped Russians increase war financing was a bad signal.
POLITICO reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged counterparts to "do everything we can to help Ukraine get through the winter and continue to support it next year as well." Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels with two main requests, more funds for Kyiv for defence and more sanctions against Russia, and he said on X, "All of us in Europe want this war to end."
Funding gap and frozen assets
Zelenskyy asked European Union leaders for at least 70.0 billion euros to finance Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion next year, saying, "The war will cost 155.0 billion euros next year and we need at least 70.0 billion from you for defense, for weapons and for our resilience." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Ukraine was now running out of money and called frozen Russian assets the most obvious source of additional EU support, warning, "Waging war is expensive… And Ukraine is now running out of money." Friedrich Merz said the EU would have to increase funds again to help Ukraine through the winter and also to help next year, adding, "We will have to increase the funds again here in order to really assist Ukraine on a lasting basis."
EUobserver said the remaining third was the problem after December 2025, when EU leaders failed to agree to use over €210bn in Russian frozen funds and instead decided to go for a €90bn loan. POLITICO said the bulk of the frozen assets rest with the Euroclear depository in Brussels and that Merz insisted the assets had been frozen in Europe and "should remain frozen in Europe … That is our business, and we will decide on it."