EU to ask UK for more Ukraine money at November meeting
Brussels argues Britain should pay more to cover a 70 billion euro shortfall in 2027, a demand landing just before the UK’s first budget.
By Nikolai Morales ·
European Union leaders plan to ask Prime Minister Andy Burnham to raise Britain's financial support for Ukraine in 2027. They will make this request when he attends a summit in Brussels on 20 November. Brussels believes the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan are not doing enough to fund Kyiv's war effort. Officials say previous asks at other international gatherings have not yet produced results.
Ukraine projects a 70 billion euro funding gap for 2027. That amount covers both defense and civilian needs. The European Commission states that the EU and its member states currently pay for 80 percent of Ukraine's financial requirements. The commission considers two-thirds to be a fair share for the bloc. It expects other allies to cover the remaining third. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, told reporters last week that the EU will continue to lead but urgently needs partners to step up.
The EU agreed to a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine last year. That loan was designed to cover two-thirds of Kyiv's costs in 2026 and 2027. However, Russia's attacks are escalating as the war enters its fifth winter. Costs continue to rise. EU officials have focused on non-EU G7 members, especially the UK, Canada, and Japan. They may also seek aid from Switzerland, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
The timing creates pressure for the British government. Chancellor John Healey is preparing his first budget next week. He is weighing calls for increased spending against rising borrowing costs and a weak economic outlook. Healey said earlier this month that he is working on different ways to step up support for Ukraine, including military, diplomatic, and economic measures.
The British government says it has committed 25 billion pounds to Ukraine. That total includes 16 billion pounds in military aid. The UK is Ukraine's fourth largest donor, behind the US, Germany, and France. According to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker, the UK contributes 0.86 percent of its national income to the effort. France contributes 1.1 percent and Germany contributes 1.5 percent. Denmark contributes 4.2 percent and Estonia contributes 3.8 percent. The UK's share is closer to France and Germany when their contributions to EU programs are excluded.
Ukraine will be one of several issues at the November summit. Leaders expect to conclude three agreements. These include a food and animal health deal to reduce Brexit paperwork. They also include a linkage of EU and UK emissions trading schemes to protect British industry from carbon taxes. A third agreement will allow people aged 18 to 30 to live, work, travel, and study across the Channel.
The commission proposed deferring the question of university tuition fees to technical talks within six months of the summit. This move avoids a final sticking point derailing the leaders' meeting. The UK wants to charge EU students the international rate, which is about four times the domestic fee. The EU wants a return to pre-Brexit rules where EU students paid home rates. One EU diplomat said the three deals are a gift to the UK but not a massive one. The leverage is that the UK needs these agreements.
A second diplomat noted that there is no clear majority among the 27 EU member states to postpone the fees issue. The SPS and ETS deals will not take effect until there is a youth mobility agreement acceptable to the European side, including on fees.
