This long conflict “is a direct testimony” to the fact that some decisions were deliberated for too long and with an “inadequate perception of reality,” Mr. Sybiha said.

He once again called on the United States and some European partners to authorize the use of Western weapons to strike deeper inside Russia against its military installations, and to strengthen air defense, including shooting down missiles from Moscow by Ukraine’s neighbors.

Kyiv continues to use long-range drones to hit targets in Russia. State Security Service and Special Forces of Ukraine attacked a factory in the Tula region, about 180 km south of Moscow, overnight, as part of a strategy to target factories that support the Kremlin’s war effort, a source familiar with the matter said.

Work at the factory, which produces ammunition and gunpowder, was halted and staff were evacuated, said the person, who asked not to be named to discuss security issues. Bloomberg News was unable to independently verify the strike and Russia had no comment.

European leaders meet in Budapest this week, including to discuss whether the EU will be willing to foot the bill for war if Trump seeks to shift the financial burden onto Europe, Bloomberg News reported.

The United States will likely propose solutions that will lead to less involvement in European and Ukrainian affairs, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on November 9 in Warsaw. “Whatever these proposals are, we will have to take more responsibility for them as Europe.”

Mr Borrell, alongside Mr Sybiha in Kyiv, promised that EU support will remain “unwavering”.

“It is up to Ukraine to decide when to sit down at a negotiating table and under what conditions,” he said, adding: “let’s not be naive. Putin does not want to negotiate and will only negotiate if he is forced to.”

Mr Borrell, who is due to leave office in December, said EU defense ministers would meet next week to discuss aid to Ukraine and would argue for “increased support at this critical hour. Mr. Sybiha and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov are expected to join the meeting, he said. BLOOMBERG