António Costa, a Portuguese politician and president of the European Council, reaffirmed European support for Ukraine during the 16 October 2026 Brussels summit. The summit also exposed a policy divide over the United States’ Russian diesel arrangement and the use of sanctions against Moscow.
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Costa’s importance in the Russia-diesel dispute is institutional rather than personal. On 16 October 2026, he joined European leaders in Brussels as Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued that the U.S.-Russia diesel arrangement could return money to the Kremlin while Russia continued attacking Ukraine. Costa reaffirmed EU support and warned against withdrawing assistance or easing sanctions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said EU sanctions would remain until Russia stopped the war.
That position creates a visible contrast with Washington’s decision to waive significant Russia-related sanctions and tariffs before they took effect. The disagreement matters because sanctions are only as strong as the coalition enforcing them. If one major partner creates exceptions while another promises to maintain pressure, Moscow can exploit the gap diplomatically and commercially. The evidence does not show that the EU can compel Washington to reverse course, and it does not show that all EU members agree on every budget or energy measure.
Costa’s strongest defence is that his role is to reflect the collective position of member-state leaders, not to dictate a single national policy. The relevant test is therefore whether the Council can turn its public commitment into financing, air-defence support, sanctions enforcement, and practical winter assistance. The 16 October summit established the public message; it did not by itself settle every funding or security question.