Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, and the Prime Minister of Denmark. They discussed European integration, the "Drone Wall" initiative, and the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Russia would not stop until forced to. She emphasized that the war in Ukraine concerns all of Europe and its values.
President of the European Council António Costa stated that the Council meeting on October 23-24 will be a "day of decisions. " It will continue discussions on the use of Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for concerted European action against Russia's hybrid attacks, which escalate into greater threats. He called for the creation of a "Drone Wall" and the intensification of defense production, as Ukraine has significant experience in defending against drones and missiles.
EU leaders at an informal summit discussed common defense, frozen Russian assets, and Ukraine's accession to the EU. Meetings of defense ministers and EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas will become more frequent.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke out against António Costa's plan to bypass Hungary's veto and accelerate Ukraine's accession to the EU. He also declared the country's dependence on Russian energy, despite US demands.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa held a trilateral discussion. Ukraine and pan-European defense capabilities were discussed.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may find support in his attempts to hinder Ukraine's accession to the EU, particularly from French President Emmanuel Macron. The proposal by European Council President António Costa to change EU accession rules to circumvent Hungary's resistance is meeting opposition from a number of countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Greece.
The European Union is preparing to begin technical work on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova, despite Hungary's ongoing blocking of accession negotiations. The European Commission has proposed adjusting the rules to circumvent Hungary's veto, by starting technical work in several "clusters" even without an official decision.
Brussels welcomed the plan by European Council President António Costa, which involves bypassing Hungary's veto to advance Ukraine's and Moldova's applications for EU membership. The proposal would allow voting on the opening of negotiation clusters by a qualified majority of member states.
France and Sweden have sent military personnel and specialized systems to counter drones to Denmark ahead of two summits in Copenhagen. This was in response to drone incidents that caused flight delays.
The European Union must radically transform due to Putin's provocations and Trump's semi-detachment. EU countries are looking for ways to counter the Kremlin's aggressive rhetoric.
European Council President António Costa is leading efforts to advance Ukraine's EU membership bid, despite Hungary's resistance. He is trying to garner support from EU capitals for simplifying the accession procedure for new members, proposing to open negotiation clusters with the consent of a qualified majority of EU countries.
European partners are ready to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan of almost 140 billion euros, which will be repaid only after Russia compensates for the damages. The funds are intended exclusively for Ukraine's military purposes and will ensure its defense capability for several years.
Germany supports the EU plan to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Berlin is open to legally sound options for using 172 billion euros to support Ukraine.
The President of the European Commission and EU heads of state will discuss drone incursions at an informal meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen next week. This issue will also be considered at the first meeting on the 'drone wall' on Friday, with the participation of representatives from seven border EU member states, Denmark, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
The EU Council has adopted recommendations for Ukrainians, which provide for a gradual exit from temporary protection and a transition to other residence permits. The document also includes support for return and reintegration in Ukraine.
Serhiy Kyslytsia, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, reported the absence of signs of the Kremlin's readiness for a trilateral meeting. He emphasized the importance of such a format for resolving the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Vladimir Putin's invitation to Moscow for negotiations. Instead, he offered the Russian dictator to come to Kyiv.
European officials will visit the US on Monday to discuss economic pressure on Russia and new sanctions. This comes amid Trump's frustration with the war in Ukraine and his failed attempts to negotiate with Putin.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Hungary would not support Ukraine's accession to the EU. He noted that Hungary's position does not depend on Moscow, but is based on the opinion of Hungarians who do not want Ukraine's membership in the EU.
President Zelenskyy and Slovak Prime Minister Fico held a substantive conversation. Zelenskyy informed Fico about his conversation with Donald Trump and the results of the Coalition of the Willing meeting.
Robert Fico and António Costa met on the border with Ukraine. They discussed Fico's visit to China and the regional situation.
António Costa stated that Russia's unwillingness to start peace talks indicates its true intentions. He emphasized that Putin deliberately delays any negotiation processes.
The President announced the existence of a security guarantee plan with partners, which includes air and sea defense. After the war, the Ukrainian army will be rearmed and modernized.
President Zelenskyy stated that 26 out of 35 countries are ready to provide real security support to Ukraine, including the USA. He also discussed with Trump paths to peace and disappointment with some European countries that finance Russia.
European Council President António Costa will arrive in Uzhhorod on September 5. He will participate in the Congress of Regional Authorities together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
On September 4, a summit of the "volunteer coalition" on security guarantees for Ukraine will take place in Paris. Participants plan to discuss additional sanctions against Russia during a conversation with Donald Trump.
In October 2025, the EU will introduce the EES system to control the entry and exit of third-country nationals. It will replace passport stamps, collecting biometric data to combat illegal migration.
Bulgaria has transferred a third of the EU's weaponry to Kyiv since February 2022. The country is the only one in the EU where the largest private employer is a defense company.
