Selenskyj asks the EU

Russia is trying to destroy the energy and water infrastructure, but we stand by you," said von der Leyen on Friday during a joint appearance with Zelenskyy in Brussels. "But we will support you, as we have done in the past winters," said the Commission President. von der Leyen also emphasized the importance of adopting a 22nd EU sanctions package against Russia. "The war will cost 155 billion euros next year, and we need at least 70 billion euros from you for our defense," said Zelenskyy at the press conference. Ukraine had previously complained that it would be missing 30 billion euros in its budget and 45 billion euros in military expenditures. The EU is currently paying a loan to Ukraine in installments amounting to 90 billion euros. Zelenskyy defends attacks on energy facilities Russia's President Vladimir Putin will not be satisfied with the occupied Donbas, but will claim all of Ukraine and then attack other countries, said Zelenskyy at the EU summit. The Ukrainian president also defended new Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities. He told the US government that, following the US government's demand for a halt to the attacks, Washington should equip its country with air defense missiles. However, this has not happened. Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) wants to first classify the Ukraine's additional financial needs: "So many figures are swirling around that one must now classify them and demonstrate where this gap comes from, and make it transparent." "I am also surprised," said Stocker before the summit. It could be that more damage was caused by Russia's intensified and heavy attacks. "But that it immediately results in a budget deficit is something that should be discussed," said Stocker. He also reaffirmed the EU's support for the country. The disbursement of funds should also be conditional for Stocker, for example, on progress in the rule of law, reforms, and anti-corruption efforts. Merz: "Very worried" about the situation in Ukraine "The financial necessities are being examined by the Commission," explained Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in a press conference in the afternoon. "We will see how we determine the financial needs." Merz said, "We are very worried about the situation in Ukraine." "There is a great agreement that we also want and must continue to help Ukraine in the winter and over the New Year in the next year." Meeting with the US in the coming days Despite the recent tensions with US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy expects a new meeting between both sides in the coming days. "We are having talks with the American negotiating team. I know that our team is in constant contact with them," said Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the summit. He expects that a meeting will also be arranged in the coming days – he did not say at what level. Zelenskyy and Trump have repeatedly – even publicly – clashed in recent years. In Brussels, the Ukrainian president emphasized that he had not been informed in advance about Trump's diesel agreement with Putin or the suspension of sanctions. Trump: More difficult with Zelenskyy than with Putin Trump once again publicly expressed his dislike for Zelenskyy on Thursday. "I am not a big fan of Zelenskyy," said Trump in an interview with the ultra-conservative news outlet Newsmax. He believes that both the Russian leader Putin and Zelenskyy actually wanted an end to the war. The hatred between Putin and Zelenskyy makes ending the conflict more difficult. "However, I find dealing with Zelenskyy more difficult than with Putin," added Trump. He even presented Zelenskyy as an obstacle to a peace agreement in the war with the aggressor Russia. If there were an agreement, it would only be without Zelenskyy, according to Trump. "He is not a good man for us to negotiate with."