EU asks G7 to fill €70 billion hole in Ukraine 2027 budget
Non-EU allies have pledged only €4 billion for next year, a sharp drop from 2026 levels, according to a Commission forecast.
By Marco Whitaker ·
European Union officials are asking Group of Seven partners to pay into Ukraine’s 2027 budget to cover a shortfall of €70 billion.
The European Commission confirmed that Kyiv’s own estimate matches that figure. The amount covers military costs after the US delivers its remaining stockpiles from the Biden administration. President Donald Trump has paused direct US funding for the country.
A Commission forecast reviewed by the Financial Times shows that non-EU allies have promised just €4 billion for next year. That number is down from €19 billion in 2026. The US, UK, Canada, and Japan are expected to provide only €1 billion in total.
The EU began contingency planning to stabilize Ukraine’s finances if NATO and G7 partners do not raise their contributions. Commission officials are reviewing options, including joint debt issuance. They plan to discuss these measures at a summit in late November.
Brussels is holding bilateral talks with London, Ottawa, and other capitals. European leaders are waiting for the UK and Canadian 2027 budgets to be released. They hope those documents will include new commitments to Ukraine.
The EU stated it will not close the gap alone. A Commission spokesperson said Europe and its member states already account for 80% of the aid promised for 2027. "Europe cannot meet Ukraine's financing needs alone," the spokesperson said. "International partners must also step up, including NATO allies."
Canada’s finance ministry said Ottawa has committed CA$27 billion to Ukraine since 2022. A spokesperson declined to preview the upcoming budget. "I won't speculate on what may or may not be included in next week's budget," the official said. Japan’s Foreign Ministry disputed the Commission’s findings. The ministry said it "cannot make any definitive statements regarding the possibility of future financial support to Ukraine." It added that Japan is considering options based on future developments and G7 discussions.
The funding shortfall extends to defense spending. The Commission estimates that NATO’s 32 member states are €13 billion short of their pledge to provide Ukraine with €70 billion in defense support this year.
