EU to press Canada and the UK to give Ukraine more funding
The European Union is preparing to urge Canada and the United Kingdom to boost their support for Ukraine to help close a €70 billion funding gap next year. The issue is expected to come up at high-level summits in late October and November.
The European Union is preparing to urge Canada and the United Kingdom to increase financial support for Ukraine, as Kyiv faces a funding gap of about €70 billion next year. Brussels will have the chance to raise the matter at the highest level at the EU-Canada summit on Oct. 29–30 and the EU-UK summit on Nov. 20. Several EU officials and diplomats, who spoke anonymously, described the plans to POLITICO.
Rising needs
The EU and its member states provide 80 percent of Ukraine's external aid, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said. The bloc has committed a €90 billion loan for 2026 and 2027, meant to cover roughly two-thirds of Ukraine's needs. Brussels had expected other partners, including Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Norway, to supply another €45 billion, but much of that money has been slow to arrive because governments have yet to confirm or disburse their support.
The projected bill for 2027 has grown as Russia intensifies its assault, the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushes up costs, and Washington shifts toward positions more favorable to Moscow. Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said he has called for broad burden sharing among international partners.
Canada, the UK and others
EU officials stressed the push is not a criticism, as both countries are strong supporters of Ukraine. The UK says it has committed £25 billion in total, while Canada has promised the equivalent of €5.4 billion in military assistance and €8.2 billion in direct financial support. The EU and its members say they have contributed over €231 billion since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Brussels says it will not explicitly tie favorable treatment to contributions for Ukraine. The talks with London and Ottawa cover closer economic and defense ties, including the EU's SAFE program for joint defense procurement. Japan says it has already given around $20 billion, while Australia says it has not yet received a request.
Support for Kyiv will also be tested next year by elections in several European countries, including France and Italy.
