EU officials meet in Kyiv amid declining allied support for Ukraine: Here's what you need to know.

Top EU officials met in Kyiv on Monday to discuss the war in Ukraine, as recent events in the US and Slovakia threatened to undermine the bloc's unity and support for Kyiv.

In the US, lawmakers did not approve a $6 billion aid request for Ukraine in a last-minute bill designed to avoid a government shutdown. Meanwhile, pro-Kremlin figure Robert Fico, who pledged to halt aid to Ukraine, won Slovakia's parliamentary elections with his populist SMER party.

Despite these developments, EU officials in Kyiv reiterated their solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people. They also pledged to continue providing military and financial assistance to Ukraine, and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

However, Lithuania's foreign minister, Gabrielius Lansbergis, warned that the EU is facing "a critical juncture" in its support for Ukraine. He said that the events in the US and Slovakia "have the power to instil doubt" over the bloc's backing for Kyiv.

Lansbergis called on other European officials to send a "crystal clear message that Europe is with Ukraine." He also said that the EU needs to develop a "sustainable approach to supporting Ukraine in the long term."

The French, Irish and Romanian foreign ministers who were in Kyiv on Monday also reiterated their support for Ukraine. France's foreign minister Catherine Colonna warned Russia not to count on the "fatigue" of European Union member states regarding their support of Ukraine. Her Romanian counterpart Luminița Odobescu said the country will support Ukraine in exporting cereals, and highlighted the detrimental impact of the invasion on global food security. And Irish foreign minister Micheál Martin said he hoped EU officials would find a "sustainable approach to supporting Ukraine in the long term."

The outcome of the EU meeting in Kyiv will be closely watched by both Russia and Ukraine. If the bloc is able to maintain its unity and support for Kyiv, then it will be much more difficult for Russia to achieve its objectives in Ukraine. However, if the EU is divided or unwilling to continue supporting Ukraine, then it could make it easier for Russia to prevail.