EU leaders back Ukraine as Zelensky criticizes U.S. easing of Russia sanctions
publishers 178articles 363first reported 23 Sep, 13:50 UTCdeveloping since 30 Sep · 33 editionstop 25 #13
European Union leaders pledged continued support for Ukraine at a summit in Brussels on Friday as President Volodymyr Zelensky urged them to maintain pressure on Russia and help Kyiv prepare for winter.
European Council President Antonio Costa said it was “no time to withdraw support” or ease sanctions, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would not lift sanctions unless Russia ended the war. She also said the EU was preparing a 22nd sanctions package against Moscow.
Zelensky said Ukraine wanted the war to end quickly but saw no indication that Russia was ready to do so. He asked EU leaders for an additional €70 billion in 2027 for defense, weapons and resilience, saying Ukraine expected the war to cost €155 billion that year. He described winter support as including energy assistance, air defenses and funding amid intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure.
The summit followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pause new sanctions and ease some restrictions on Russia in connection with a diesel deal. Zelensky called the sanctions relief a reward for Russian President Vladimir Putin and warned that it could encourage further attacks. He urged continued backing for U.S. legislation targeting Russia’s energy sector, financial institutions and oil-tanker fleet.
EU officials also reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s membership bid. Von der Leyen said the bloc aimed to open the final two negotiating clusters by the end of the year after Ukraine advanced reforms required for accession.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 402 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 178
- Source articles
- 363
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 402 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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