European Council backs Ukraine in Brussels as Zelenskyy asks the EU for 70 billion euros

17 October 2026

European Union leaders pledged continued support for Ukraine at a European Council summit in Brussels on 16 October 2026, the second and final day of the summit.
European Council President Antonio Costa said it was no time to withdraw support from Ukraine and urged the Union to increase support and pressure on Russia, adding that it was no time to ease sanctions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the European Union for an additional 70 billion euros, equal to about 79 billion dollars, for next year, and said the war would cost 155 billion euros, about 174 billion dollars, in that year.
Air defence systems topped his list of requests.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged continued support through the winter, while Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker urged caution about new far-reaching financial commitments.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the Union would probably need to provide a new loan to cover Ukraine's budget gap next year.
Russian strikes killed three people in Kharkiv and left hundreds of thousands without power.