Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will personally attend the European Council meeting scheduled for 18 December in Brussels.
The Ukrainian president is scheduled to give a press conference at 14:15 Kiev time, which may start later.
On the eve of the European Council said that Zelensky will participate in the meeting online.
European Council President António Costa, who on 9 December sent an invitation letter to the leaders of the European Union member states for the EU summit on 18 December, said the meeting would include “important discussions” and the priority would be two topics: Ukraine and security in Europe; and EU funding for 2028-2034.
“We will start the European Council meeting to discuss Ukraine. Recent developments underline the need for urgent EU action. At the October European Council meeting, we committed to address Ukraine’s urgent financial needs for 2026-2027, in particular for its military and defence efforts. At our next meeting we must decide, based on the ongoing preparatory work, how to fulfil this commitment. As of this writing, diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine are ongoing. In this context, we will discuss how best to continue defending Europe’s interests and how to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position,” the letter said.
Costa emphasised that an important part of this should be to increase pressure on Russia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 17 December called the next days crucial in supporting Ukraine.
On 17 December in Strasbourg from the rostrum of the European Parliament, she stressed that the European Commission and IMF estimate Ukraine’s funding needs for 2026-2027 at around 137 billion euros, and the EU should cover two-thirds, but it is “not just about numbers” but about strengthening Ukraine’s ability to “ensure real peace.”
Von der Leyen made it clear that giving Ukraine a reparation loan was a priority option, recalling the decision by member states last week to keep Russian Federation assets immobilised indefinitely.
In recent weeks, the idea of a €140 billion “reparation loan” to Kiev secured by Russian assets has been discussed in Europe. Belgium, which has jurisdiction over the bulk of the funds, is strongly opposed to this, fearing possible legal claims from Russia.
Russia categorically rejects any attempts to confiscate its funds and calls the possible use of these assets in favour of Ukraine theft.