---
title: "Costa Invites Zelenskyy to EU Summit to Discuss Ukraine's Accession"
description: "European Council President António Costa invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to an EU summit. The parties discussed opening negotiation clusters and financial support."
date: 2026-10-08T15:20:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/costa-invites-zelenskyy-to-eu-summit
tags: [ukraine-eu, antonio-costa, volodymyr-zelenskyy, eu-summit, geopolitics]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Costa Invites Zelenskyy to EU Summit to Discuss Ukraine's Accession

![António Costa and Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussing Ukraine's EU accession](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/08/koshta-priglasil-zelenskogo-na-sammit-es/koshta-priglasil-zelenskogo-na-sammit-es-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- António Costa invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the European Council summit
- The opening of the first negotiation clusters on EU accession is expected next week
- Ukraine received a 1.2 billion euro tranche for defense needs and drone production
- The EU continues to support Ukraine amid escalation and hybrid attacks by Russia

President of the European Council António Costa held a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which the parties discussed key issues of European integration and the current geopolitical situation. Following the talks, the head of the EU officially invited the Ukrainian leader to participate in the upcoming European Council meeting next week for an in-person discussion on further steps to bring Ukraine closer to the EU.

### Progress of European Integration and Negotiation Clusters

During the official consultations, the leaders paid special attention to Ukraine's practical progress along the path of reforms. António Costa confirmed that the official opening of the first two negotiation clusters is expected as early as next week. At the same time, Brussels and Kyiv expect the remaining thematic clusters to be launched by the end of the current year, despite existing bureaucratic and political obstacles.

### Assessment of Russian Aggression and Financial Support

A separate topic of the talks was the escalation of the conflict and increased attacks by the Russian Federation on civilian targets, as well as hybrid threats against European Union member states. Costa emphasized that such actions clearly demonstrate Moscow's unwillingness to conduct a constructive peaceful dialogue. In turn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the financial tranche of 1.2 billion euros received the day before, which will be directed toward strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, including the procurement and production of drones.

### Contradictory Data

Despite optimistic statements from EU leadership regarding the prompt opening of negotiation clusters, serious doubts persist among experts regarding the timeline for final accession. While the Ukrainian side and some European institutions insist on accelerated integration, skeptical assessments circulate in Brussels diplomatic circles suggesting that actual accession is unlikely to happen before 2030. In addition, the EU leadership's policy regarding dialogue with Moscow periodically faces internal criticism from certain member states.

### Further Diplomatic Steps

In the near future, the Ukrainian leadership plans to continue intensive consultations with international partners. In particular, a trilateral meeting is scheduled between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with a series of contacts with representatives of the United States of America to synchronize positions on key security aspects.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Кошта пригласил Зеленского на саммит ЕС для обсуждения вступления Украины](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/koshta-zaprosiv-zelenskogo-samit-es-obgovorennya-1791471371.html) - Основной источник информации о телефонном разговоре Кошты и Зеленского.
- [На саммите ЕС в Брюсселе Антониу Кошта подвергся критике за свое решение открыть ...](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B0/20260619-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5-%D0%B5%D1%81-%D0%B2-%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%8E%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5-%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%83-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%88%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B3%D1%81%D1%8F-%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B5-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%81%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B5-%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%8B%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BF%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB-%D1%81-%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%B9) - Контекст касающийся внутренней критики позиций руководства ЕС.
- [В ЕС не верят во вступление Украины до 2030 года, - СМИ](https://censor.net/ru/news/4027288/evropeyiskie-diplomaty-somnevayutsya-v-vstuplenii-ukrainy-v-es-do-2030-goda) - Отражает экспертные сомнения и разногласия по срокам интеграции.
- [ЕС может открыть все переговорные кластеры с Украиной до конца года, – СМИ](https://www.unian.net/politics/vstuplenie-ukrainy-v-es-vse-peregovornye-klastery-mogut-byt-otkryty-v-etom-godu-13519689.html) - Данные о планах запуска кластеров до конца года.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Who invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the EU summit?
**A:** The invitation was extended by European Council President António Costa following a telephone conversation.

### Q: What issues were discussed during the leaders' phone call?
**A:** The parties discussed Ukraine's European integration progress, the opening of negotiation clusters, the winter energy package, and financial assistance.

### Q: What will the funds from the latest financial tranche be used for?
**A:** The 1.2 billion euro tranche is directed toward Ukrainian defense, specifically for purchasing and producing drones.