Europe pushes back on Ukraine's request for new financial aid, Le Monde
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
Ukraine's latest request for financial aid has yet to win approval in Brussels. Le Monde says that such a decision is difficult for Europe, especially with elections approaching in several countries.
According to the publication, a meeting was held at the European Commission headquarters on September 29, bringing together representatives of the G7 countries, Norway, South Korea, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The goal was to assess Ukraine's needs, as it is already requesting additional assistance despite the support that has already been allocated.
"It feels like we're watering a desert," one European diplomat said.
Despite Ukraine's dire situation, its latest request for additional aid is difficult to accept in Brussels, particularly given the current political climate.
According to Le Monde, the EU’s 27 member states are actively negotiating the bloc’s next long-term budget, which includes €100 billion in funding for Ukraine for 2028–2034. However, Germany and its allies want to cut the budget by several hundred billion euros, making any announcement of additional aid to Ukraine a difficult task.
In addition, several major national elections are scheduled for 2027, when the issue of funding for Ukraine is particularly sensitive. These include elections in France, Spain, Poland, and Italy. In France, Marine Le Pen, a potential candidate who is leading in some polls, has already said she intends to end all financial aid to Ukraine if she wins the election.
For now, however, Brussels is buying time.
"We are waiting for details on the needs and will see how we can meet them. The issue is expected to be discussed at the meeting of finance ministers on October 9, or even at the European Council meeting in mid-October," one European diplomat said.
What else you need to know
Earlier, a European Commission spokesperson said that Ukraine could receive around €37 billion in financial support by the end of this year. However, he added that further disbursements would depend directly on progress on reforms.
Moreover, EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis called on international partners to speed up financial assistance to Ukraine amid a growing budget deficit ahead of the winter season.
