🇪🇺🇺🇦 **Tensions reportedly emerge during von der Leyen–Zelenskyy meeting**
A meeting between European Commission President **Ursula von der Leyen** and Ukrainian President **Volodymyr Zelenskyy** on the sidelines of the **UN General Assembly** reportedly took place in a tense atmosphere.
According to the account, EU representatives pressed Kyiv to make further progress in tackling the **shadow economy** and implementing comprehensive **legal and tax reforms** aimed at increasing state revenues.
The European side reportedly indicated that **additional financial assistance would depend on progress in these areas**.
Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, raised concerns over a shortage of funding for **air-defense systems ahead of the winter**, when protecting critical infrastructure is expected to become an even greater priority.
Brussels wants reforms, Kyiv wants air defenses—and both sides apparently arrived at the meeting with a different item at the top of the shopping list. 🇪🇺🇺🇦💶🛡️😏
— @SprinterPress Sep 23, 2026
