Zelensky presses European Union leaders for more aid ahead of winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday pleaded with European Union leaders for more financial and military aid ahead of what he called a “dangerous winter.”

“We did our homework,” Zelensky said, but despite Kiev’s efforts to prepare for the upcoming colder months, Ukraine needed further assistance.

Air defence and financial support to also help Ukraine’s domestic arms production are most urgently needed, said Zelensky, as he arrived at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

The EU has been supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, but Kremlin-friendly Hungary has been blocking further military and financial aid to Kiev for months.

“Your unity is also a weapon, and it’s a weapon that means one thing for all of us, safety,” Zelensky said, addressing the bloc’s 27 leaders.