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Europe Today: Zelenskyy in Brussels as Kyiv looks to Europe amid tension with US
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Brussels for the EU summit with Washington’s support in doubt. He is set to hold his first formal bilateral talks with Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar. Also: EU leaders failed to agree on the EU budget, and we hear from Irish EU affairs minister Thomas Byrne.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2026/10/16/europe-today-zelenskyy-in-brussels-as-kyiv-looks-to-europe-amid-tension-with-us
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Brussels for the EU summit with Washington’s support in doubt. He is set to hold his first formal bilateral talks with Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar. Also: EU leaders failed to agree on the EU budget, and we hear from Irish EU affairs minister Thomas Byrne.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2026/10/16/europe-today-zelenskyy-in-brussels-as-kyiv-looks-to-europe-amid-tension-with-us
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
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00:14Good morning. Yes, it's Friday, October 16th. You're watching Euronews and this is Europe Today.
00:22Coming up, EU leaders have refused to budge on the bloc's next long-term budget and openly cast doubt on
00:29whether a deal can be sealed by the end of the year.
00:32A slippage that would mean significant delays and a collision with a string of national elections.
00:38Until now, capitals were committed to reaching a final agreement by December.
00:42But at yesterday's summit in Brussels, where talks dragged on longer than expected, a growing number of governments was not
00:49ready to be hurried.
00:50Today, the summit continues with, first and foremost, Ukraine on the agenda.
00:56Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev stunned summit participants by backing the controversial diesel supply deal agreed between U.S. President Trump
01:05and Russian President Putin in defiance of Western sanctions.
01:09His comments put Radev at odds with his fellow EU leaders who have strongly condemned the deal as risky, dangerous
01:16and misguided.
01:17To make it happen, the U.S. has eased sanctions on imports of Russian diesel until April 2027.
01:23The deal was also lambasted by Democrats and Republicans in the U.S.
01:28And the U.S. military has drawn up options for renewed strikes on Iran that include the use of one
01:35of the biggest non-nuclear bombs in its arsenal.
01:37According to news reports, the plans involved the possible use of a massive air blast bomb, nicknamed the mother of
01:45all bombs.
01:46The 22,000-pound weapon is designed to affect surface targets over a wide area and has so far not
01:53been deployed by the U.S. inside Iran.
01:56Tehran is reportedly strengthening its defenses around sensitive energy and nuclear sites in preparation for a potential resumption of attacks.
02:05Welcome to the program. I'm Stefan Grober.
02:09Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Brussels for a crucial EU summit with relations between Kiev and Washington under growing
02:17strain and uncertainty mounting over future American military support.
02:22Ukraine is looking to its European partners for greater security commitments, more military assistance and progress towards EU membership.
02:30But can Europe really fill the gap if Washington steps back?
02:35Our correspondent, Sasha Vakulina, is following the summit in Brussels and has been speaking exclusively to Zelenskyy's deputy chief of
02:43staff.
02:44Good morning, Sasha.
02:45So, with tensions between Kiev and Washington escalating, how seriously is Ukraine now looking at reducing its dependence on American
02:55military equipment?
02:56This is a very important thing for Ukraine and, you know, it would be, it's impossible to explain how much
03:03it is important for Kiev this day,
03:05specifically with the recent reports, media reports regarding the fact that the United States is threatening to cut the intel
03:10for the Ukrainian military
03:12or the recent disruptions in Starlink's military version, Star Shield, for Ukrainian military.
03:17So, this is very important.
03:19And these are the two also crucial aspects that are, this is where Ukraine is trying to find replacements,
03:26to find European replacements and to take the leading role in developing those.
03:29And this is one of the things that I discussed exclusively with Igor Zhovkova, who is the deputy head of
03:35the office of President Zelenskyy.
03:36He said the processes, both when it comes to the air defense equivalent for to shoot down Russia's ballistic missiles
03:44and the European equivalent of Starlink,
03:46not only the discussions are already underway, Stefan, but the progress and there is, you know,
03:50the work is also already underway between the European and Ukrainian companies.
03:55Let's take a listen.
04:03We certainly rely on the unique capabilities provided by the United States, whether in air defense systems or services such
04:09as Starlink.
04:10But Ukraine has already begun substantive discussions with European countries about developing a European air defense system under Project FREA.
04:16As you know, seven countries are involved in this project, almost all of them EU member states.
04:21And discussions have now moved to a very practical level.
04:23The process began in Paris in July, with the summit of the leaders of the countries participating in Project FREA.
04:28Companies are now in direct talks with one another.
04:31We need a European equivalent of the existing air defense system.
04:34Ukraine is ready to play its part, and European countries are interested in this cooperation.
04:38The same applies to Starlink.
04:40We, and by that I mean European countries, need to have our own equivalent system.
04:45Discussions are also underway on this, although we are not going to disclose the details.
04:58There are two specific initiatives launched by Ukraine, and Ukraine intends to take the lead in both.
05:03First and foremost, because Ukraine needs them.
05:06But they are, of course, equally important for other European countries.
05:09We have a clear timetable and deadlines.
05:12As you know, the President is constantly pushing to accelerate this process.
05:15I won't give specific dates or deadlines, but I can say that it will happen much sooner than the 10
05:20or 15 years some are talking about, and even sooner than five years.
05:27But can Europe realistically provide Ukraine with the security guarantees it needs without the United States?
05:35Only until a certain extent, let's be very honest about it.
05:38Now, Jovko outlined the three essential pillars when it comes to European help.
05:42This is sustained financial support for Ukraine's military joint European defense production,
05:46and clear commitment to Ukraine's eventual EU membership.
05:50Now, he also spoke a lot about the fact how important the European security guarantees are,
05:54and how they are indeed the foundation and the base for any sort of a settlement when it comes to
06:00Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
06:02But he did admit that, you know, they still need and they depend crucially on the U.S. backing.
06:08Let's take a listen.
06:10We have always maintained that European security guarantees must form the foundation of Ukraine's security.
06:16This involves a range of measures, including military and financial support for our armed forces.
06:21After all, the cornerstone of Ukraine's security guarantees is a strong and capable military.
06:26But that military must also have adequate financial backing.
06:29This will be one of the issues discussed at today's European Council summit,
06:33and the President will address it in considerable detail.
06:37Another pillow of our security guarantees is joint defense production.
06:41Ukraine is already pushing other countries to significantly accelerate their military production.
06:46The third pillar is Ukraine's membership of the European Union.
06:50Without clear commitment that Ukraine will become an EU member,
06:53we cannot speak of comprehensive security guarantees.
06:56So European security guarantees are fundamental,
06:58but they cannot, of course, exist without the support of the United States.
07:04And Sasha, there is this morning this meeting between Zelensky and the Hungarian prime minister.
07:09We'll talk about that in a moment.
07:12Is this the beginning of a, you know, new friendship between both countries?
07:17Well, certainly, I think both Kiev and Budapest hope that this is a reset in their diplomatic relationship.
07:21And when I spoke to Zhokva about it, he also revealed exclusively for Euronews that Zelensky was indeed invited
07:26and might come to Budapest next week.
07:30He did stop short of confirming whether President Zelensky is going to go to Hungary,
07:34but that the invitation is indeed there, and that Kiev also invited Magyar to come to Kiev.
07:38Let's take a listen to this.
07:44He has always been a very welcome guest in Kiev,
07:47and we would certainly welcome such a meeting in the Ukrainian capital.
07:50Other locations in Ukraine are also an option.
07:52Our expectations are very positive.
07:54We are grateful to Hungary for its support in opening the EU accession negotiating clusters.
07:58As we know, opening each cluster requires the agreement of every member state,
08:01and Hungary is currently providing that support to Ukraine.
08:07We have opened four clusters, with two still remaining.
08:09We are confident that Hungary's position will continue to be as constructive as it has been so far.
08:15At today's meeting with Magyar, we certainly expect to discuss European integration,
08:19but there is much more to our relationship than that.
08:21Ukraine and Hungary are neighbouring countries.
08:27Well, we have received an invitation.
08:30On the 23rd of October, an event will be held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.
08:35We all remember this important historical event,
08:37and the President of Ukraine has received an invitation to attend.
08:43All right, Sasha, thank you very much.
08:47Probably the biggest nemesis of Zelensky in the EU Council used to be Hungary's Viktor Orban.
08:53Remember him?
08:54Well, now that he's gone, Ukraine and Hungary are starting a timid reset.
08:59The first visible proof of it can be seen in Brussels today.
09:02So let's cross to the European Council, where our Hungary correspondent Sandor Szyrosz is waiting for Zelensky's bilateral meeting
09:09with the new Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, the first encounter of its kind.
09:14Good morning, Sandor.
09:17Good morning, Stefan.
09:18So tell us, how significant is this meeting for Hungary?
09:24I think it is very significant because the two countries are set to turn the page
09:30and to end 10 years of hostilities, which was mostly due to the minority issues of the Hungarian minority in
09:40Ukraine.
09:41And after the change of government in Hungary, this is now possible because Peter Magyar wants to have a more
09:47pragmatic stance
09:48and he really wants to turn the page.
09:51So this morning they will have a very short meeting, 10 to 15 minutes.
09:57It's a very significant and very symbolic meeting.
10:01Hungary criticized Ukraine very harshly in the past because of the treatment of the Hungarian minorities
10:08and the restrictions on some of the language rights.
10:11This week, on Monday, the Ukrainian parliament, the RADA, cleared this issue.
10:17They modified this law.
10:18This enabled this meeting.
10:21And let's take a look of what Peter Magyar said yesterday morning when he arrived at the summit.
10:33Everyone can see what historic success we have achieved in a few weeks.
10:36That we can strengthen the rights of the Hungarian minority living in Transcarpathia,
10:40in areas of language use and in areas of official procedures.
10:43From this perspective, this is good for us.
10:45This is what diplomacy is.
10:46We asked for a guarantee and it seems we got it from the Ukrainians.
10:50Of course, the proof is in the pudding.
10:52We will see how these laws are implemented.
10:57Inchando, we've heard about that invitation to Zelensky.
11:02Could he really visit Budapest next week?
11:08Well, we don't know yet.
11:09The visit is not confirmed yet.
11:11And I think a lot of this will depend on how this meeting today in Brussels will go between the
11:18two leaders,
11:19between Zelensky and Magyar.
11:21But I would like to highlight one very important thing.
11:25The fact that Zelensky was invited to Budapest by the sitting Hungarian government is already a huge step.
11:33It was unimaginable under Orbán.
11:36You remember that Orbán's government was putting Zelensky on a billboard.
11:41They were portraying him as an enemy and as a security threat to Europe.
11:46So already sending out this invitation is a very, very significant and very important message.
11:53And, you know, there are historical parallels also.
11:56If Zelensky is really going there to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising against the Soviet Union,
12:05then, you know, we could say that two countries were fighting in the past against Moscow's rule
12:13and Ukraine is right now fighting against Russian invasion.
12:20So there could be a really significant and really symbolical meeting there in Budapest, if this is happening.
12:29Yeah, remarkable parallel there.
12:32All right, Shandosh Hirosh at the European Council for us.
12:34Thank you very much.
12:36And from one corner of the building to the next, where our correspondent Shona Murray is standing by.
12:41Good morning, Shona.
12:45Good morning, Stefan.
12:46So that was a much longer evening session than expected.
12:50What happened and where was the much invoked unity?
12:55Indeed, Stefan, nowhere to be found, it appears.
12:58We knew that this summit had really heavy items on the agenda, not least of which, of course,
13:03was the content of the EU's seven-year budget, which it stands right now at about 1.6 trillion euros.
13:10But countries like Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden want to cut hundreds of billions of euros off that
13:17and much more of a focus on competitiveness and defence.
13:20There was no progress on this.
13:22So it doesn't bode well for the plan to have this negotiation set and done by Christmas time.
13:28The summit itself lasted about 14 hours,
13:30ended amid a discussion around spiralling energy crisis when there was a row over the future of the bloc's emissions
13:37trading systems.
13:38But I'm joined now by Ireland's European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne to go through a lot of what happened last
13:45night and today.
13:46Minister, first of all, in relation to Ireland's, Ireland obviously having the presidency of the European Council,
13:50and it looks like the budget negotiations that you started have really failed and they need to start again.
13:57I wouldn't accept that at all.
13:58In fact, I think the opposite.
13:59Our assignment was to provide a basis for negotiation.
14:02I think we've actually got that because we've now handed over our negotiating box to the president of the European
14:08Council
14:08and he's going to take the negotiations further.
14:11And what we're hearing from member states is that, by and large, actually,
14:15many of them feel that we've gone in the right direction.
14:17And there are many countries there, not just cohesion countries who want cap,
14:22there are some of the frugal countries, as they're called, want to protect cap.
14:25So we protected cap and cohesion.
14:27We also have a very significant increase in the competitiveness fund as well.
14:30And at the same time, we managed to achieve, I would say, very significant cuts to the commission proposal,
14:35which, of course, many member states have looked for.
14:38And it's important to remember, they're not cuts to what we're spending at the moment.
14:41They are, in fact, substantial increases.
14:42Yeah, indeed. But, I mean, one thing that we heard last night from President of the European Council,
14:46Antonio Costa, was that there's not enough there for flexibilities in the future.
14:50And we know, if anything, the European Union is dealing with unbelievable emergencies over the past few years.
14:56And there are issues that will get resolved before the leaders come to a final decision.
15:00There's no question about that.
15:01Like, I would say, if you look around the table,
15:03every member state has certainly one issue that they would like to see resolved.
15:06And in our view, probably can be resolved towards the end of the negotiation.
15:10So I wouldn't panic too much about that.
15:12I mean, I think, in the overall sense, we've very much gone in the right direction.
15:16We've done what we're asked to do, which is bring the negotiations to a certain point.
15:19And I think we've succeeded in that.
15:20There is a bit of panic, though, because the idea is that this gets settled by Christmastime,
15:25because there are so many really consequential elections taking place in the EU next year,
15:30not least in France, with Marine Le Pen saying that she will cut even more from the EU budget.
15:35Do you think this can be resolved by Christmas?
15:36I think it can be resolved by Christmas.
15:38But even countries like France and other countries depend heavily, for example, on the common agriculture policy.
15:43So, you know, everybody is looking for cuts, but you'll find that every member state is something that they want
15:47to protect.
15:49There's only one way of doing that, is to get a compromise around the table.
15:52We know now that our nego box that we produced is a catalyst to bring the member states to agreement.
15:58There are other catalysts out there as well.
16:00The electoral situation we can't do anything about, but let's be honest, it is a political reality that leaders face.
16:04What were leaders saying to you and the Taoiseach, the Irish Prime Minister, last night?
16:09Because, you know, from speaking to diplomats, particularly in countries like Sweden, Germany,
16:13they said they're quite disappointed with the job the Irish have done.
16:17What do they say to your face?
16:18I think in general, countries see that we have actually moved in a direction that brings us closer together.
16:25The reaction from member states to us, I would have to say, has been as expected.
16:31And we've heard some of the comments of the Commission.
16:33Of course, the Commission's proposal has been reduced, but that's what member states have looked for.
16:37That's what a substantial number have looked for.
16:39Others wanted capital cohesion protected.
16:42So we've tried to square that circle.
16:43I think people acknowledge that we've at least done that and that this will bring us further towards agreement.
16:49Minister, there was also a discussion around enlargement.
16:54Your priority as part of the Irish presidency was to have Montenegro as part of the European Union, a member,
16:59by the end of this year.
17:00But there have been kind of roadblocks along the way, particularly from countries like Croatia and others.
17:05Tell us about this.
17:06Well, we want to conclude the negotiations by the end of this year.
17:09It'll take a little bit longer to actually for them to become a member.
17:12And I think we've achieved remarkable success on that so far in that we have closed chapters in July and
17:18closed this week as well.
17:20So we've closed nearly two-thirds of their negotiating chapters.
17:23I think that's a really good moment.
17:24And actually, we depend on the member states to agree that.
17:27And now we're asking the member states and Montenegro to let that process move forward to complete it by the
17:32end of the year.
17:33So Montenegro has to do the work.
17:34It's a merit-based process.
17:35But we need the member states to respond.
17:37And so far, the member states have.
17:38I just want to, before I go on to Ukraine, because that's today, there was an almighty row over the
17:42fate of the emissions trading system last night.
17:44And a lot of people blaming Georgia Maloney, the Italian Prime Minister, of acting in bad faith.
17:48Is that something you'd agree with?
17:50Because the whole summit ended abruptly without a press conference and in disarray.
17:54I wouldn't say that's the case.
17:56Look, there is an issue on the ETS that it is politically very charged in many member states.
18:00That's simply a reality.
18:01And I think we have to reflect that reality.
18:03So I'm not going to criticize where Minister Maloney or anybody else are raising this issue.
18:06I suppose what we know, though, is that the emissions trading system and how that works is, I would say,
18:13essential to how we move and transition to the new energy supplies and how we reduce costs for consumers.
18:18Well, look, today is a big day.
18:20President Zelensky of Ukraine will be here in the next short while.
18:23And he is looking for more money because it was underestimated how much is required for Ukraine to keep it
18:30funding over the next couple of years.
18:31What will the European Union be able to do for him in this hour of need?
18:35Well, the European Union has already responded very strongly to Ukraine.
18:38We've seen this year 90 billion euro loan for defense and for their government needs.
18:42And member states as well, including Ireland, have also given support to Ukraine.
18:46So, look, let's listen to what the leaders say and decide.
18:48But that support for Ukraine is absolutely ongoing and essential for the European continent as well as for Ukraine.
18:54OK, Thomas Byrne, Ireland, European Affairs Minister.
18:56Thank you very much for joining us on Euronews.
18:58And back to you in studio, Stefan.
19:00Thank you, Shona, and thank you, Minister Byrne.
19:04That does it for us today.
19:07I'm Stefan Grobe.
19:08Maeve McMahon will be in this chair on Monday.
19:10Take care and see you soon.
19:14Bye.
19:19Bye.
19:21Bye.
19:21Bye.
19:22Bye.