EU leaders set to demand UK close Ukraine's 70 billion euro deficit
Brussels officials argue that Britain, Canada, and Japan must increase their financial support as Europe covers 80% of Kyiv's 2027 costs.
By Thiago Kovalenko ·
European Union leaders are preparing to tell Prime Minister Andy Burnham that Britain must pay more to support Ukraine's defense efforts. This demand will be made during the EU-UK summit scheduled for 20 November in Brussels. The timing coincides with Chancellor John Healey's first budget announcement, creating a tight window for the British government to respond.
Ukraine has identified a funding shortfall of 70 billion euros, or 58 billion pounds, for the year 2027. This gap covers military operations and civilian needs as the war enters its fifth winter. The European Commission states that the EU and its member states currently fund 80% of Ukraine's financial requirements. Officials consider a fair share for the EU to be two-thirds, leaving the remaining third to other allies.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, will press Burnham for a larger contribution at the November meeting. She will also meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next week. Both leaders face similar requests to help close the financial hole. Japan is also under scrutiny for its role in supporting Kyiv.
Brussels notes that previous appeals to G7 nations for additional aid have gone unanswered. The European side is now prioritizing non-EU G7 members, specifically the UK, Canada, and Japan. If these countries do not increase their contributions, the EU may seek help from Switzerland, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
The British government states it has committed 25 billion pounds to Ukraine, which includes 16 billion pounds in military aid. According to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker, the UK is the fourth largest donor, trailing the US, Germany, and France. When adjusted for gross domestic product, the UK's contribution stands at 0.86% of national income. This is lower than France's 1.1% and Germany's 1.5%. Denmark and Estonia lead the list at 4.2% and 3.8% respectively, though the UK's figure aligns more closely with France and Germany once their EU program contributions are removed.
Healey described the government as working on new ways to step up support for Ukraine through military, diplomatic, and economic means. He is weighing these calls against rising borrowing costs and a challenging economic outlook. The budget decision will likely influence how much extra the UK can offer to Brussels.
Alongside the Ukraine funding issue, the summit aims to finalize three key agreements. These include a food and animal health deal to reduce administrative burdens after Brexit. Leaders also plan to link the EU and UK emissions trading schemes to shield British industry from European carbon taxes. A youth mobility scheme will allow people aged 18 to 30 to live, work, and study across the Channel.
A point of contention remains university tuition fees for EU students in the UK. The British government wants to charge international rates, which are roughly four times the domestic fee. The EU prefers a return to pre-Brexit norms where EU students paid home rates. The commission has proposed delaying this decision to technical talks within six months of the summit to prevent it from blocking the broader deal.
EU diplomats believe they retain leverage because the food and emissions deals will not take effect until a youth mobility agreement is reached. One diplomat described the package as a gift to the UK, but not a massive one, noting that Britain needs the agreements. A second diplomat cautioned that there is no clear majority among the 27 member states to postpone the fee issue indefinitely.
