Updated

The European Union will activate a special emergency assistance mechanism to help Ukraine restore electricity, water and heat supplies damaged by Russian strikes, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced after talks with EU leadership on November 9, 2026. Kyiv Post reported that the mechanism is meant to accelerate funding for Ukraine's most urgent needs. Ukrinform reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a phone call with Zelensky ahead of her visits to Romania and Bulgaria. Zelensky said the leaders also discussed winter aid, EU accession and preparations for the Abu Dhabi talks. No amount or timing of aid was given.