Expert explains why Europe supports Zelensky

In Ukraine on 22 August 2026, rescuers dug through the wreckage of a shopping centre hit by a Russian strike that killed 16 people. Zelensky called the strike “despicable”, the EU foreign policy chief called it “terror by design”, and the EU condemned the attack. Johann Wadephul met Zelensky in Kyiv as an air raid alert sounded, condemned attacks on civilians and assured Ukraine of further support, saying it would win the confrontation. Macron said France was ready to send interceptors.

Zelensky raised the question of Patriot missiles in a meeting with a former special envoy of Trump, and Euronews asked whether Witkoff and Kushner would make their first visit to Ukraine on its Independence Day. Lavrov said the West is setting Zelensky and his circle against Russia. US actor Liev Schreiber toured Kyiv's ruins and pleaded for air defense.