EU Urges Canada and UK to Help Cover Ukraine's €70 Billion Gap in 2027
The European Union is preparing to persuade Canada and the United Kingdom to significantly increase aid to Ukraine and help cover a €70 billion funding gap Kyiv will face in 2027, Politico reports, citing five EU and European Commission officials and diplomats.
The main venues for the talks will be the EU–Canada summit on October 29–30 and a top-level EU–UK meeting on November 20. EU ambassadors are due to discuss preparations for both events and Ukraine's financing on Thursday, October 22.
A loan that covers two-thirds of needs
The EU has already granted Kyiv a €90 billion loan for 2026–2027, which should cover about two-thirds of Ukraine's needs. Brussels expected other countries, including Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Norway, to provide another €45 billion. That money is arriving slowly, while Ukraine's estimated spending is growing because of intensifying Russian strikes. For earlier context, see our report on what the EU could give Ukraine in 2026.
European officials stress that the appeals are not criticism of London or Ottawa, since both have consistently backed Ukraine. A European Commission representative said the issue has become "the main topic of discussion at every single meeting" with partners. "We urgently need other partners to step up," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on October 16.
Burden-sharing push
Brussels has already raised Ukraine's 2027 needs at meetings of the IMF, the G7 and the G20, as well as with the Gulf Cooperation Council. "During my meetings in Bangkok, the need to ensure financial support for Ukraine in 2027 was one of the main topics," Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told Politico, referring to the recent IMF and World Bank Group meetings. He said he urged "broad burden-sharing" and stressed that every international partner should contribute while Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression.
The UK has so far directed £25 billion to Ukraine. Katherine Cerio, a spokeswoman for Canada's Privy Council Office, said Ottawa has allocated almost C$26 billion in comprehensive aid. "Canada continues to support Ukraine and remains in contact with international partners about Ukrainian needs," she said. The EU and its member states have provided more than €231 billion since the full-scale invasion, including military aid, budget support, guarantees, assistance to Ukrainians sheltering in Europe and proceeds from frozen Russian assets. One senior EU diplomat said the sum "exceeds all expectations".
Brussels is also preparing talks on deeper defence and trade ties with both countries. Canada will take part in the EU's SAFE joint procurement programme, giving Canadian companies access to EU contracts. Officials insist the EU will "not act in Trump style" and will not tie trade preferences directly to the size of financial contributions.
The EU is also trying to secure more money from Japan, which European officials believe is lagging on 2026 funding. Tokyo says it has already provided more than $20 billion and is ready for dialogue if Ukraine makes direct requests. Australia, which recently announced new support packages at the UN General Assembly, has not yet received formal appeals for 2027. More coverage is in our politics section.