Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Philippe of the Belgians in Brussels on 15 October 2026, using the audience to press Ukraine’s case for stronger air defence and continued support. The meeting has now been confirmed by Ukraine’s presidency, following the palace announcement reported before the visit.
The Ukrainian presidential account says Zelenskyy thanked the king, Belgium’s government and the Belgian public for their assistance. He raised missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian communities and described air defence as the country’s leading priority.
Requests for aircraft and ammunition
According to that account, Zelenskyy sought Belgian help with F-16 fighter jets and ammunition. He also argued that frozen Russian assets should remain immobilised while the war continues.
These are requests and positions attributed to the Ukrainian president. The account does not announce a new Belgian delivery timetable, a quantity of aircraft agreed during the audience or a fresh decision on the legal treatment of Russian assets.
The Belgian monarchy’s agenda identifies the Royal Palace in Brussels as the venue. VRT’s advance report places the audience within a series of meetings between the two heads of state since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Diplomatic support and operational decisions
The audience forms part of Zelenskyy’s wider Brussels diplomacy, but royal reception and government procurement are different forms of engagement. Evidence that a request was discussed should not be read as evidence that the requested equipment has already been transferred.
The confirmed outcome is a further high-level exchange, with Ukraine’s air-defence needs and its position on immobilised assets clearly set out. Any subsequent commitment will need to be assessed through the relevant government announcement and delivery details.
