Brussels: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed EU leaders at a European Council meeting, urging them to accelerate military aid, tougher sanctions, and progress the EU accession process as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy highlighted that Moscow aims to 'turn cold weather into a weapon' by targeting Ukraine's energy system and civilian infrastructure.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy stated that Russia's tactics present a threat to European security as they could set a precedent for future conflicts. He emphasized the urgency for EU countries to provide long-range weapons and flexible access to air defense systems, including Patriot missiles, as any delay would result in loss of lives. He assured that Ukraine is prepared to return or replace these systems after the war.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for imposing new sanctions on Russian oil companies and urged the EU to implement its 19th sanctions package with strong enforcement. He advocated for using Russian assets to fund defense against Russian aggression, describing the mechanism for using frozen Russian funds as legal and fair, with a portion allocated for purchasing European-made weapons.
He also called for expedited delivery under the EU's PURL program, which supports Ukraine's energy and defense needs, and encouraged non-member states to participate. NATO introduced the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative in July after Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine. The US provides weapons under the program, while Western allies cover the costs, with several countries already contributing significant funds.
On the topic of EU enlargement, Zelenskyy criticized the 'artificial blockage' in Ukraine's EU accession process, noting that progress on the clusters has been stalled for over six months. He argued that EU expansion is crucial for Europe's geopolitical security. Zelenskyy also expressed appreciation for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa for their continued support of Ukraine's resilience and protection.