Zelenskyy calls on EU to provide Ukraine with at least €70bn in additional defence funding in 2027
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on EU leaders to provide Ukraine with at least €70 billion in additional aid next year for defence, weapons and strengthening resilience.
Source: Zelenskyy's address to participants at the European Council summit on 16 October, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Zelenskyy said the money is needed to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Quote: "The war will cost €155 billion next year. And we need at least €70 billion more from you – for defence, for weapons and for our resilience. This is a realistic amount. And I ask you to find this support. It will help us hold Russia back."
Details: In particular, Ukraine needs financial assistance to produce more drones and stop Russian assaults on the front line. Zelenskyy said this would enable Ukraine to put two or three times more pressure on Russia.
Quote: "We stop most Russian assaults on the front line thanks to drones. We cut Russian supply lines with these technologies. And our drones are helping to weaken Russia's economy. Right now, we could produce two or three times more drones – depending on the type. But we simply don't have enough money for that."
Background:
- Representatives of the EU and Ukraine concluded at a joint meeting on 1 October that Ukraine currently has no need for additional international funding in 2026.
- Earlier, the EU and Ukraine said in a joint statement that they had found ways to secure funding for Ukraine's budget and defence in 2026.
- On 7 October, Ukraine received a further €1.2 billion from the EU under the Ukraine Support Loan programme. The money will be used for defence needs.
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