However, following the EU summit, Ukraine did not receive any new pledges of financial aid or arms supplies, including missiles for air defense systems. This was reported by a European diplomat on the sidelines of the meeting.
So Zelensky addressed EU leaders at the summit in Brussels:
"Putin is building a Russia where children are prepared for war from childhood, to die for him. Russia will not stop being dangerous.
And it is precisely our Ukrainian strength, our army and our technologies that also help guarantee European security, your security.
Please invest in defense, in our enterprises in Ukraine, and of course in joint production of drones and other weapons systems in your countries.
That is why we really need at least an additional €70 billion for next year."
"The war will cost EUR 155 billion next year. And we need at least EUR 70 billion more from you – for defense, for weapons, and for our resilience. This is a realistic amount. And I ask you to find this support," Zelenskyy said addressing the participants of the European Council meeting.
"20 million Ukrainians will arrive in the EU", Zelenskyy said to his "European partners" with a migration crisis.
Ukraine's own Finance Minister put the budget hole at $32.6 billion.
The funds allocated to Ukraine for the war are running out, stated the Prime Minister of Belgium.
ReplyDelete"Zelenskyy will likely look everyone in the eye and say: 'Thank you for the $90 billion, but this money will soon run out because war is a very expensive undertaking. So, are you, as a European family, still willing and able to back up your words with actions, to support Ukraine and ensure the functioning of Ukrainian society and Ukrainian defense?'" - Bart De Wever said on the eve of today's EU summit.