Overview

• After initially focusing on the conflict in Ukraine, EU summit leaders shifted their attention to the Israel-Hamas conflict, effectively sidelining Ukraine's request for aid.
• Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing increasing resistance to garnering political, economic and military aid for Ukraine, both within Europe and the US.
• Several EU Leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungary's Viktor Orbán, have expressed skepticism around a military solution in Ukraine and have shown reluctance for further funding support.
• Despite recapturing some territory during a summer counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces failed to cut a land link to the Crimean Peninsula, possibly due to Russia allocating nearly a third of its government spending on defense.
• By the end of the year, EU leaders must approve a near $53 billion package to provide budget support, promote investment and aid reconstruction in Ukraine. However, with the veto powers of member states able to come into play, approval is not certain.