US-Ukraine relations deteriorate, EU reiterates determination to support Ukraine

European Union (EU) Council President Costa has advocated continued strengthening of support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia.

On the 16th, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order to suspend the implementation of the Russian sanctions bill on the grounds of "national interest." This move further worsened the recently tense relations between the United States and Ukraine. Regarding Ukraine's current predicament, Antonio Costa, President of the Council of the European Union (EU), said, "This is not the time to withdraw support for Ukraine and ease sanctions on Russia, but it is the time to strengthen European support and apply further pressure."

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said, "As a member of Europe, it is important to show unconditional support for Ukraine and explore additional measures that can be taken."

Suffering from a shortage of advanced defense weapons, Ukraine is unable to effectively resist Russia's intensifying missile and drone bombings. Moscow is targeting civilian infrastructure such as water, electricity and heating ahead of winter, forcing Kiev to urgently seek help. Zelensky, who was gathering consensus among allies in Brussels, urged European leaders to provide more "Patriot missile" defense systems and an additional 70 billion euros (approximately NT$2.5 trillion) to support the Ukrainian army's continued fight against the Russian army next year.

Ukraine's urgent financial needs have led the European Union to re-evaluate the idea of ​​using Russia's 200 billion euros of frozen assets to inject Ukraine. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said, "The frozen assets are here. They should be used to support Ukraine."