The EU told Ukraine that it needed to show democratic progress before the bloc could disburse more of a $103 billion loan, piling pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s popular former defense minister called for elections last month after he was dismissed from his post.
Though the Ukrainian leader has insisted a vote would be impossible during the war with Russia, his position could be tested when he meets US President Donald Trump — who has also previously pushed for elections — in New York today. Zelenskyy hopes to gain Washington’s backing ahead of what promises to be a tough winter for Ukraine.
