EU Leaders at Brussels Summit Reaffirm Ukraine's Accession Course and Prepare 22nd Sanctions Package

The second day of the European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium, focused on cementing support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia. In the meeting room, alongside EU heads of state and government, were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa. At the end of the day, leaders reaffirmed their intention to continue providing financial and military aid to Ukraine and expressed commitment to advancing the country's EU accession process.

Support for Ukraine and Pressure on Moscow

Speaking to journalists, António Costa emphasized that the EU must step up its support for Ukraine and exert greater pressure on Russia to force Moscow to the negotiating table. According to him, it is the combination of military, financial, and diplomatic components that must determine the future dynamics of the conflict. Zelenskyy, in turn, thanked European capitals for their unwavering support and outlined Kyiv's top priorities.

Preparation of the 22nd Sanctions Package

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is drafting the 22nd sanctions package against Russia. Moscow reacted with skepticism: on the same day, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the expansion of sanctions pressure indicates the alliance has exhausted its means of influence. Thus, the European side views the new restrictions as a tool to increase pressure, while the Russian side views them as a sign that previous levers have been exhausted.

Ukraine's EU Accession: Two New Tracks

Costa and von der Leyen reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's EU accession, welcoming the opening of two new negotiation platforms. Von der Leyen specified that the goal is to open the two final negotiation clusters by the end of the current year. Zelenskyy promised to continue implementing necessary reforms, without which, according to European institutions, further rapprochement is impossible.

Winter Preparation and Needs for 2026–2027

A separate item on the agenda was Ukraine's preparation for the upcoming winter, as well as an assessment of its financial and military needs for the 2026–2027 period. Zelenskyy stated that the country's top priority is ensuring energy supplies before the onset of cold weather, alongside air defense systems and financial resources. According to Kyiv, these exact areas should be the focus of European support in the coming months.