Patriot missiles, energy, EU membership, and a seat at the peace table: Zelensky’s latest appeals to Europeans

Brussels – Military support, alongside political backing and energy solidarity: the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, as do the needs of Kyiv, which remain unchanged. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, reiterated these demands at the meeting of heads of state and government of the European Political Community. He lists them one by one during his speech, which is met with a long and thunderous round of applause from his partners. It is precisely they and their presence that top the list of demands from the former Soviet state: “It is good that Europe is part of the [peace] dialogue, even if indirectly. It is good that Europeans remain part of the process.” 

In this regard, in a joint statement issued after their meeting with Zelensky, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, explained that they “welcome this week’s talks in Abu Dhabi and the renewed momentum in the peace process” and reiterated that “the EU has participated in these negotiations and will continue to be involved in this format” with the aim of “a just and lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the security of our own continent.” 

The Ukrainian president’s first request is for a reaffirmation of the assurances of reliability that Kyiv recognises in the twelve-star bloc. This is because there is little trust in the US, and Zelensky makes no secret of it: “If those in the United States who make decisions regarding Ukrainian territories do so as if they were not Ukrainian, then we already have a sense of the direction in which things are heading…”, he says publicly, expressing his fears and mistrust. 

But while waiting for peace, the Ukrainian president is still thinking in terms of war, and so he is once again calling for air defence measures, starting with the Patriot missiles, the very ones for which Germany has announced it is halting supplies. “Help us find these missiles,” pleads Zelensky, who is also asking for F-16 fighter jets and the ammunition needed to shoot down Russian military aircraft and drones. 

The list continues with a request for energy support in light of the Russian attacks on infrastructure and the current winter. Furthermore, with an anti-Russian stance in mind, the president is calling on other leaders to open “all negotiation chapters by the end of the year” for Ukraine’s EU accession process. “This would give people a sense of purpose” and boost the morale of soldiers on the battlefield. Finally, Zelensky calls for “new sanctions” against Vladimir Putin’s Russia, to put “further pressure” on the aggressor state. 

In light of the requests put forward by the Ukrainian president, Costa and von der Leyen are set to meet at the end of the month, at the next European Council on 26 and 27 November, in view of Kyiv’s financial requirements for 2027, and to present the 22nd package of sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, “we are mobilising 500 generators from our ‘rescEU’ reserves, helping to set up emergency aid centres and providing essential equipment. “We are also supporting the delivery of four floating bridges (to provide a link where bridges have been destroyed, Ed.) from Norway and 200 buses,” the two EU leaders concluded.