Key facts
- EU seeks increased Ukraine funding from Canada and UK.
- Kyiv faces a €70 billion funding gap for next year.
- EU and member states committed €90 billion for 2026-2027.
- U.K. has committed £25 billion to Ukraine.
- Canada pledged €5.4 billion military and €8.2 billion financial aid.
The European Union is preparing to urge Canada and the United Kingdom to increase their financial contributions to Ukraine, aiming to address a projected €70 billion funding gap for next year. Upcoming summits with both countries will serve as key opportunities for Brussels to make its case at the highest level. With Ukraine's financing needs escalating and uncertainty surrounding U.S. support, the EU is increasingly looking to non-EU allies to bolster assistance.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU and its member states provide 80 percent of Ukraine's external aid and called for other partners to step up. The EU has committed a €90 billion loan for 2026-2027, expecting an additional €45 billion from partners like Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, though disbursement has been slow. The growing costs are attributed to Russia's intensified assault and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Officials emphasized that the push is not a criticism of Canada or the U.K., both strong supporters of Ukraine, but rather a response to Kyiv's increased needs. The U.K. has committed £25 billion, and Canada has pledged approximately €13.6 billion in military and financial aid. The EU and its members have already contributed over €231 billion since Russia's full-scale invasion.