As Russian drones pounded Kyiv on Monday, Ukrainian officials arrived in Brussels with a clear message: the wartime funding gap must be closed now. More than 120 drones were launched against Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noting that nearly 90 were faster, jet-powered models. One drone struck the National Academy of Sciences in the capital in broad daylight, killing at least one person and underscoring the vulnerability of civilian institutions.
The attack came as EU defence ministers gathered in Brussels to discuss how to sustain military and financial support for Ukraine. The meeting, which had been planned for weeks, took on added urgency after Kyiv revised its budget shortfall to $20 billion for 2025 — a figure that still depends heavily on allied contributions. As Ukraine narrows its budget gap, the gap between what it needs and what allies have pledged remains a central concern.
Brussels balancing act
MEP Tobias Cremer (S&D, Germany) told Europe Today that the EU is trying to balance solidarity with Ukraine against the rising costs and risks at home. "Every euro spent on Ukraine is a euro not spent on domestic priorities," he said, "but the cost of inaction would be far higher." His comments reflect a broader debate among member states, where inflation, energy prices, and public fatigue are testing political will.
EU defence ministers are also examining ways to accelerate ammunition production and joint procurement, as well as how to use frozen Russian assets to fund reconstruction. The talks come amid growing concerns about Russian hybrid sabotage across the continent, from undersea cable damage to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi, interviewed by Mared Gwyn, highlighted Russia's deliberate targeting of Ukraine's agricultural economy. "They are attacking our export routes in the Black Sea, our grain storage, and our ports," he said. "This is not just about Ukraine's economy; it is about global food security." The minister's remarks come as Russian strikes on civilian areas continue to claim lives, including nine children injured in a Kharkiv apartment block attack.
Pope's message in Metz
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his visit to France in Metz, where he praised multilateralism and warned against the dominance of any single power. Speaking to a crowd of thousands, the Pope said that "true peace is built on cooperation, not coercion," a message that resonated in a city that has changed hands between France and Germany multiple times over the centuries.
Austen Ivereigh, a fellow in Contemporary Church History at Oxford University, analyzed the visit for Europe Today. "The Pope's choice of Metz is symbolic," Ivereigh said. "It is a city that embodies the European project's promise of reconciliation. His emphasis on multilateralism is a direct response to the resurgence of great-power politics." The visit has sparked scenes of spiritual jubilation, with large crowds gathering at every stop.
For Ukraine, the Pope's words offer little immediate relief. The drones that hit Kyiv on Monday were part of a sustained campaign that has also targeted energy infrastructure, leaving millions without power in freezing temperatures. As nationwide attacks persist, Ukrainian officials are pressing their European counterparts not just for money, but for a clear signal that the continent remains committed to their defence.
The outcome of the Brussels meetings will be closely watched in Kyiv, where the cost of delay is measured in lives. As one EU diplomat put it, "We are not just funding a war; we are investing in a European security order. The question is whether we have the political will to see it through."
