Speaking at the European Union (EU) summit in Belgium on 16/10, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Russia has launched large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages for citizens.

During his address to the European Council, President Zelensky made an urgent appeal for more air defense capabilities. "I urge you to truly focus on helping us acquire PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles," he stated, referring to the munitions for the Patriot air defense system. He emphasized the critical need for a robust "winter support package," noting, "Ukraine cannot cope if it only receives two or four missiles from a country every few months."

President Zelensky speaks during a press conference at the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium on 16/10. *AP*

Beyond the immediate demand for Patriot missiles, President Zelensky also called on the EU to help bridge Ukraine's budget gap for 2027. He highlighted the significant financial burden of the ongoing conflict, stating, "The war will cost 155 billion euro (174.5 billion US dollars) next year, and we need at least 70 billion euro (78.8 billion US dollars) from you." He described this figure as realistic and crucial for deterring Russia.

President Zelensky argued that this additional financial support would enable Ukrainian manufacturers to double or triple their production of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), significantly enhancing both defensive capabilities and the ability to strike Russian military targets.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged Ukraine's needs and urged international partners to contribute. EU leaders have tasked the European Commission with preparing a financial proposal. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that further discussions are necessary before firm commitments can be made.

President Zelensky's request for nearly $79 billion has reignited calls to utilize approximately $226 billion in frozen Russian Central Bank assets to fund Ukraine's defense efforts. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs asserted, "The frozen assets are still there and should be used to support Ukraine." Despite growing support, this proposal continues to face opposition from Belgium, which holds the majority of Russia's frozen assets, due to concerns over potential legal and financial repercussions.

The EU is currently disbursing a loan package worth about $101 billion to help Ukraine cover its financial needs through the end of 2027. However, Kyiv has warned that continuous attacks on its economy and energy infrastructure will lead to significant funding shortfalls, underscoring the urgency of the new aid requests.

A Ukrainian Patriot launcher in a photo posted in January. *Militarnyi*

The plea for more Patriot missiles comes at a critical time, as the Ukrainian military has reportedly exhausted its supply of these vital interceptors. An official informed the Washington Post that as of 7/10, Ukraine possessed only 10 Patriot missiles, which were subsequently deployed to intercept Russian attacks. The official added that "only a few left" remain.