Zelenskyy Seeks EU Aid as Trump-Russia Ties Threaten Ukraine Funding

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on Thursday to press European Union leaders for increased military and financial support. His visit follows a week of heightened tension with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration recently moved to allow Russian diesel exports to American markets.

European officials warn that the U.S. decision could swell Russian President Vladimir Putin's war chest while Kyiv faces a projected budget shortfall of billions of euros in 2027. The Ukrainian government estimates its financing gap for next year at $78 billion, with EU diplomats suggesting the bloc may need to cover "tens of billions" of that amount.

“This is our business and we are deciding over it.”

Unity among the 27 member states remains fragile as leaders simultaneously negotiate the EU's long-term budget amid rising populist pressure and upcoming national elections. Zelenskyy urged allies to act together, calling for "more real pressure on Russia and more defense support for Ukraine."

A potential solution involving the use of immobilized Russian state assets worth €210 billion has resurfaced. Reports indicate U.S. negotiators pressed European counterparts last week to channel these funds into a Washington-controlled vehicle to unlock peace talks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz firmly rejected the American proposal on Thursday, stating, "This is our business and we are deciding over it." Belgium, which holds the bulk of the assets, is also seen as a key holdout against the U.S. plan.

Zelenskyy began Friday with a bilateral meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, aiming to reset relations that have complicated Ukraine's EU accession path. The Ukrainian leader was expected to depart Brussels around midday.