Zelenskiy Celebrates EU Sanctions Against Russia in Brussels

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy participated in a crucial European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, where leaders discussed significant new sanctions against Russia. His presence underscored the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine, which has been Europe’s most significant conflict since 1945. The discussions took place on Thursday, with Zelenskiy engaging directly with EU leaders, emphasizing the solidarity Europe has shown towards Ukraine since the conflict began.

Upon his arrival, Zelenskiy warmly greeted each leader before taking his seat. While he has appeared fatigued during recent visits, this occasion brought smiles and even a sense of light-heartedness. The day commenced with the announcement that both the EU and the United States had approved new sanctions aimed at restricting Russia’s oil and gas exports. This move coincided with Donald Trump sanctioning two major Russian oil companies, marking the first significant US sanctions on Russia since his return to the White House.

Diplomatic negotiations leading up to the summit resulted in a deal to implement a fresh round of EU sanctions, including a ban on future imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). The approval followed intense late-night discussions, during which Slovakia lifted its initial opposition, facilitating a unified response from EU members.

After the summit, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to his European allies, labeling them as “real friends” who have steadfastly supported Ukraine. He noted that while the Trump administration continues to provide military aid, the burden of financial support has increasingly fallen on European nations. As military assistance from the US has dwindled, Zelenskiy is likely to turn to European allies for further financial support, especially as Ukraine anticipates potential funding challenges in the latter half of next year.

Concerns have been raised among significant contributors like Denmark and the Netherlands, who feel that other EU nations are not contributing their fair share. Earlier this year, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief foreign affairs representative, proposed a plan to link contributions to each country’s economic size, suggesting that France, Italy, Spain, and Ireland would need to increase their financial commitments. However, this proposal faced pushback and ultimately did not gain traction.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, affirmed that Europe would do “whatever it takes” to support Ukraine as the conflict approaches its fifth year. With national budgets feeling the strain, the EU is exploring innovative financial strategies, including utilizing frozen Russian assets held in Europe. This legally creative plan aims to provide a €140 billion loan to Ukraine, which would be repayable only if Russia compensates Kyiv for the damages caused by the invasion.

“We need it in 2026 and better to have it at the very beginning of the year, but I don’t know if it is possible,” Zelenskiy remarked regarding the proposed financial support. The sanctioned Russian assets were frozen in Euroclear, a Belgian securities depository, following the invasion in February 2022. Bart De Wever, Belgium’s Prime Minister, emphasized the need for collective assurance among EU member states to share any legal risks associated with the plan.

While the Ukraine war dominated the summit’s discussions, it was not the only issue on the agenda. For the first time, leaders addressed housing—a topic traditionally outside the EU’s purview—as well as the bloc’s commitment to meet 2040 climate targets. Additionally, they discussed the need to streamline regulations and enhance the union’s defense industry, reflecting a broad range of challenges facing the EU today.

The outcomes of this summit underscore the ongoing commitment of European nations to support Ukraine, as both military and financial assistance remain critical in the face of Russia’s continued aggression.