EU leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia at Brussels summit

At an EU summit in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa pledged continued support for Ukraine and stated that sanctions on Russia will not be lifted unless Russia ends its war. Their remarks came amid U.S. President Donald Trump's unilateral decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil exports and calls for Zelenskyy's removal.

Why it matters. The summit highlights a divergence in Western policy toward Russia, with the EU maintaining pressure while the U.S. under Trump eases sanctions, affecting transatlantic coordination on Ukraine and sanctions enforcement.