Ukraine needs gas, fuel and 300 missiles: Zelenskyy has asked the EU to help the country prepare for winter

Zelenskyy has called on Europe to help Ukraine prepare for winter. Photo: Office of the President

During a meeting of the European Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined Ukraine’s key needs should the war with Russia continue.

This was reported by the Office of the President.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine aims to end the war by the winter of 2026 through a combination of diplomatic efforts and pressure on Russia. At the same time, he stressed that should hostilities continue, the country will need an additional support package for the winter period.

«This should include an energy package: gas, diesel. I don’t know what they will destroy this winter or before winter, so I’m saying: gas, diesel, petrol. It depends on the strikes. And, of course, we need a supply of 300 missiles — at least 300 missiles, anti-ballistic missiles, to last for 3–4 months of these massive strikes — for the winter. Please help us prepare for winter. We are asking you for this now. We have no time to think. We have only one choice — to decide what to do,» said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In addition, the president called on European partners to speed up the use of funds from the unblocked «peace fund», and also appealed to members of the «Coalition of the Willing» to help finance the Ukrainian armed forces.

It should be recalled that last winter, Russia targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Power stations, substations and other energy infrastructure came under attack, resulting in rolling blackouts across the country. Ukrainians were regularly left without power due to a capacity shortage caused by the Russian attacks.

The situation was further complicated by a shortage of air defence systems and the missiles required to operate them. The Ukrainian authorities and energy companies stated that the available systems were insufficient to protect all energy infrastructure from Russian strikes