Chiara Nava Volodymyr Zelensky is returning to Brussels to meet with the leaders of the 27 European Union countries, ahead of the European Council scheduled for Friday morning. Before the meeting, the Ukrainian president visited London, where he met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street and held a meeting with King Charles. A dinner with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is also on the agenda.
A series of meetings that comes at a delicate stage for Kiev , as relations with Donald Trump appear more tense and concerns are growing in Europe over possible agreements between Washington and Moscow that go beyond the trade agreements already discussed.
European institutions are not openly talking about a break with the United States, but they fear that American support could diminish or take forms less compatible with European interests.
" We have done and are doing our part, we expect the US to do its part ," declared European Council President Antonio Costa. Zelensky , for his part, reiterated that Ukraine is ready for any form of ceasefire , while underlining the need to also discuss Starlink and intelligence sharing.
Zelensky: Fears and disappointment towards Trump
Zelensky 's trip is part of a complex diplomatic framework, in which the European Union is seeking to maintain a common position without abandoning its strategic relationship with Washington. The idea of appointing a single European negotiator, supported by some capitals, including Rome, is currently considered unlikely. The line already outlined calls for the European Council and Commission to handle diplomatic matters, while France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, meeting in E3 format, will focus on security issues within the Coalition of the Willing.
There appear to be no intention, at least for now, to change this structure. According to diplomatic sources cited in the context of preparations, the immediate issue is not so much initiating negotiations with Moscow, but rather ensuring Kiev has the resources it needs to hold out in the coming months . The goal is to ensure Ukraine has sufficient economic and military support to weather what promises to be a particularly difficult winter.
Concerns also surround the US administration's stance. A senior European diplomat acknowledged that some of Washington's decisions may not align with the Union's interests, but assured that European countries will continue to try to convince American allies of the validity of their stance . In the event of disagreements, he added, Europe is ready to continue its own path. Also in the background are the midterm elections in the United States, an event that could influence the White House's decisions and push European capitals to await developments before taking new initiatives.
Ukraine: Up to $70 billion needed by 2027 and more Patriot missiles
Among the most pressing issues facing European leaders are financing Ukraine and strengthening its air defense . By 2027, Kiev could require additional resources of up to €70 billion . This figure is still provisional: assessments by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund are pending to more precisely define the needs.
A shared solution is not yet available, but the issue of frozen Russian assets, a complex political and legal issue, could be resurfaced among the options on the table. The goal remains to identify the resources needed to ensure continued aid without compromising European cohesion.
On the military front, however, discussions are underway regarding the possibility of pooling European interceptor stocks for Patriot air defense systems. The idea is to identify additional resources for Kiev, at a time when protecting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure remains a priority.
The challenge for Europe is therefore twofold: maintaining open dialogue with the United States and, at the same time, preparing to support Ukraine even if the American contribution becomes less predictable. The upcoming meetings will serve to assess how far the 27 are willing to go to fill the financial and military gaps that risk weighing on Kiev's future.