Ukrainian President Zelenskyy speaks at EU summit amid spat with Donald Trump

Ukraine needs European help in three linked areas: military power, communications, and money. Zelenskyy asked EU leaders to help Ukraine withstand a difficult winter while its relationship with the United States worsens. He also sought nearly $80 billion more for next year. The request reflects rising war costs and damage to Ukraine’s economy.

The summit focused on US relations with Russia, Starlink, and financing. Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs military support because US weapons may not be a priority. He also described Starlink disruptions as harmful to Ukraine’s defenses. The EU had already provided an approximately $100 billion loan last year, becoming Ukraine’s biggest international backer.

Zelenskyy left Brussels without concrete promises or numbers. However, European leaders renewed their support. European Council President Antonio Costa said Ukraine remained a priority and asked the European Commission to propose ways to gather more funds for 2027. Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would continue to lead, while urging other partners to help.

Zelenskyy’s relationship with Trump has worsened because the US president has publicly criticized him and appears less aligned with Ukraine’s military priorities. Trump called Zelenskyy more difficult to deal with than Putin. He also called Ukraine’s fresh strikes on Russian oil refineries “a disgrace.” Meanwhile, Trump struck a deal to buy Russian diesel, signaling a step back from sanctions.

These disputes matter because US support has been central to Ukraine’s defense. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the United States has been Ukraine’s biggest military donor. Zelenskyy said US-built missiles were being sent to the Middle East, so Ukraine was not a priority. He therefore asked Europe to supply more military power for the winter.

The consequences could be serious if US support becomes less dependable. Ukraine would need stronger European backing for weapons, communications technology, and money. The article says Europe is renewing commitments, but it also shows that replacing American capabilities quickly will be difficult.

Starlink is a satellite Internet service developed by Elon Musk. Ukraine uses it to stay connected when ordinary communications are vulnerable. Starshield is the military-grade version. Together, these systems provide important links for Ukraine’s forces during the war and help coordinate operations across difficult battlefield conditions.

The article identifies several military uses. Starshield supports battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territory, and interceptor drones. Ukraine does not use it for long-range strikes in Russia, according to the article. Zelenskyy said disruptions slowed the systems and hobbled Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.

The slowdown became a major concern at the EU summit. Musk and the White House said they were not responsible. Zelenskyy said service speed had improved but was not fully restored. Ukraine is working with countries including France to find a partial solution, although the EU says it cannot replace this capability in the short term.

US-supplied satellite connectivity is highly important because Ukraine uses it for battlefield communications and several military operations. Zelenskyy said disruptions to the systems had hobbled Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. The issue became especially urgent as Ukraine prepared for what experts called its most difficult winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Ukraine uses Starlink and the military-grade Starshield for battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territory, and interceptor drones. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said Starlink was really necessary for Ukraine. She also acknowledged that Europe could not replace the capability quickly.

The problem is both technical and strategic. Europe lacks an immediate substitute for the service, so Ukraine’s medium-term solution remains relying on the United States. Zelenskyy said the speed had improved but was not fully restored. Ukraine is cooperating with countries such as France to seek a partial solution, while Europe backs requests to keep the technology available.

Ukraine is asking for nearly $80 billion, or €70 billion, in additional support next year. Zelenskyy called the amount realistic and said it would help hold Russia back. The request shows that financing the war requires more than battlefield equipment. Ukraine must also keep its government and economy functioning while fighting continues.

Russian attacks are shrinking the money Ukraine can raise domestically. The strikes increasingly affect the Ukrainian economy, according to Olena Prokopenko of the German Marshall Fund. They have caused a drastic decline in tax and customs revenues. At the same time, the war itself is becoming objectively more expensive, so Ukraine’s financial needs continue to grow.

The EU has already become Ukraine’s biggest international backer after providing an approximately $100 billion loan last year. European leaders said Ukraine remains a priority and asked the European Commission to develop a funding proposal for 2027. The EU appears likely to seek more money, but the exact method was still unclear.

Ukraine and its European partners are exploring several ways to reduce the risks of unreliable US support. The article mentions European military assistance, cooperation with countries including France, and new European funding. These are not presented as complete substitutes. They are ways to fill parts of the gap while Ukraine continues seeking American technology and support.

For communications, Ukraine is cooperating with France to find a partial solution after Starlink disruptions. Kaja Kallas said Europe could not replace Starlink in the short term. For money, the EU is considering a proposal to gather more funds for Ukraine in 2027. For military power, Zelenskyy asked Europe to supply what Ukraine needs to get through winter.

The article gives no specific alternative system for Starlink and no detailed list of replacement weapons. Prokopenko said Ukraine’s most credible medium-term option was still relying on the United States, with EU backing. The practical path is therefore combined support, not a rapid break from US capabilities.

Modern war is a system involving soldiers, weapons, communications, energy, alliances, and public finances. Soldiers need weapons and reliable information. Governments need money to pay for defense and public services. Allies can provide capabilities that one country cannot quickly produce alone. If one part weakens, military pressure rises across the whole system.

Ukraine’s situation illustrates this clearly. Starlink and Starshield support communications, mid-range strikes, and interceptor drones. Russian strikes damage Ukraine’s economy and reduce tax and customs revenues. US weapons remain important, while European countries are being asked to provide military and financial support. Energy also matters because Ukraine is preparing for a hard winter, though the article does not detail its energy supplies.

The consequences extend beyond the battlefield. A communications slowdown can weaken defense operations. Falling revenues can limit government choices. Uncertain alliances can make planning harder. Ukraine therefore needs continued coordination among the United States, Europe, and other partners. The summit renewed European support, but it did not settle every capability or funding question.