EU Leaders Set to Demand UK Close Ukraine Funding Gap at November Summit
European officials argue that Britain, Canada, and Japan must cover a portion of a €70 billion shortfall for Kyiv, while also finalizing trade and mobility deals in Brussels.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
European Union leaders will ask British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase the United Kingdom's financial contribution to Ukraine when he attends a summit in Brussels on November 20. The EU argues that G7 members, specifically the UK, Canada, and Japan, must provide more aid to cover a projected €70 billion (£58 billion) funding gap for Kyiv in 2027. Brussels states that previous requests for extra support at recent international meetings have not yielded results.
The European Commission has determined that the EU and its member states currently fund 80% of Ukraine's financial needs. The commission considers a fair share to be two-thirds, with other allies responsible for the remaining third. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters last week, "We will continue to lead, but we urgently need other partners to step up." A similar request will be made to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next week.
The timing creates pressure on the British government. Chancellor John Healey is preparing his first budget next week while weighing increased spending against rising borrowing costs and a weakening economic outlook. Earlier this month, Healey stated he was "working on different ways we can step up support for Ukraine: military, diplomatic and economic." The UK has committed £25 billion to Ukraine, including £16 billion in military aid, making it the fourth largest donor after the US, Germany, and France.
According to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker, the UK’s contribution is 0.86% of national income. France contributes 1.1% and Germany 1.5%. Denmark and Estonia contribute 4.2% and 3.8%, respectively. The UK’s share is comparable to France and Germany once their contributions to EU programs are removed. Russia’s escalating attacks have driven Ukraine’s costs higher as the war enters its fifth winter. The EU previously agreed to a €90 billion loan for Ukraine to cover two-thirds of Kyiv's funding in 2026 and 2027.
Ukraine will be one of several issues at the November 20 summit. Leaders are expected to conclude three agreements: a food and animal health deal to reduce Brexit paperwork, a linkage of EU and UK emissions trading schemes, and a youth mobility scheme for people aged 18 to 30. The commission proposed deferring the issue of university tuition fees to technical talks within six months of the summit. The UK wants to charge EU students the international rate, which is about four times the domestic fee, while the EU seeks a return to pre-Brexit home rates.
Senior EU sources believe they retain leverage because the food and emissions deals will not take effect until a youth mobility agreement is reached. An EU diplomat noted, "The three elements are a sort of gift to the UK, but not a massive gift," and added, "The leverage is that the UK needs this." Another diplomat stated there is no clear majority among the 27 member states to drop the fee issue for six months.
The EU is also looking beyond the UK, Canada, and Japan for additional aid. Officials may approach Switzerland, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand for further financial support to close the 2027 deficit.
