The European Union is working to convince Canada and the UK to increase their financial support for Ukraine in order to fill the 70 billion euro gap that Kyiv is facing next year.
Upcoming Meetings
The EU-Canada meeting on October 29 and 30 and the EU-UK meeting on November 20 provide Brussels with an opportunity to raise this request at a high level. With increasing financial needs in Kyiv and uncertainty regarding U.S. support, Brussels is increasingly looking to non-EU allies to provide more assistance.
Read more: EU leaders support Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukraine's Financial Needs
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU and its member states provide 80 percent of foreign aid to Ukraine, saying, "We urgently need support from other partners." The EU has committed to a 90 billion euro loan for 2026 and 2027, which will cover about two-thirds of Ukraine's needs.
Countries like Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Norway are also expected to provide an additional 45 billion euros, but funding from these countries is progressing slowly. With escalating Russian attacks and rising costs, Ukraine's financial needs are rapidly increasing.
EU diplomats and officials have said they do not expect a formal agreement to be reached in these negotiations, but support for Kyiv is likely to influence the political atmosphere of the talks. They also emphasized that this pressure does not mean criticism of the UK or Canada, but rather reflects Kyiv's increasing needs.
Future Challenges
Next year, support for Ukraine will be tested in various elections across Europe. In France, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has promised to halt aid if elected president in 2027, and in Italy, Giorgia Meloni will face challenges from the pro-Russia Roberto Meniachi.
EU officials have also urged the Ukrainian government to seek more support from non-EU partners. Meanwhile, EU ambassadors are considering discussions regarding the upcoming meetings with Canada and the UK.
