Brussels: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday made an urgent appeal to European Union leaders to supply Kyiv with long-range weaponry, following a recent meeting in Washington where U.S. President Donald Trump refrained from committing to provide Tomahawk missiles. Speaking at the EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky emphasized that access to such advanced weapons could decisively impact the ongoing conflict and send a strong message to the Russian regime.
“Long-range weapons for Ukraine are not merely tactical tools; they are a means to make the Putin regime feel real consequences,” Zelensky said. “I urge all European nations to support measures that allow Ukraine to obtain these capabilities, because they truly alter the course of the war.” He highlighted that some European countries already possess such weapons, and Kyiv has initiated discussions with allies capable of providing assistance.
In addition to military aid, Zelensky called for a swift agreement among EU leaders to utilize frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense. He proposed that a substantial portion of these funds be allocated to purchasing European-made weapons. Zelensky described this mechanism as legal and fair, framing it as a model of “future reparations” to hold Russia accountable for the destruction caused by its aggression.
The EU leaders are currently evaluating a plan to use frozen Russian assets to establish a €140-billion ($163-billion) “reparations loan” for Ukraine. While Russia has challenged the legality of such measures, Zelensky argued that enforcing accountability is both justified and necessary to support Ukraine’s defense and recovery efforts.
Zelensky’s plea underscores Ukraine’s mounting urgency for military and financial support as the war continues to strain resources and escalate tensions. The outcome of the EU summit is expected to influence the strategic balance in Eastern Europe and shape international responses to the conflict in the months ahead.