Zelensky asks EU leaders for 70 billion euros more as Trump steps up criticism

Extra funding Ukraine asks of the EU for next year

70 billion euros

At an EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky asked for at least 70 billion euros more next year for defence, weapons and resilience. He said the war will cost 155 billion euros next year.

“This is no time to withdraw support to Ukraine. This is no time to relieve Russia's sanctions.”

— António Costa, European Council president

Trump said on Thursday that Zelensky is more difficult to deal with than Putin, after Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries. At the summit, Zelensky called the EU leaders "real leaders".

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the EU would probably have to give Ukraine a new loan for next year's budget gap. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker urged caution on new commitments.