EU Blocks Extra Funding for Ukraine, Demands Reforms First

The European Union rejected Ukraine's request for additional financial assistance in 2026, insisting that Kyiv must first fulfil outstanding reform commitments. Brussels said conditions attached to previous aid tranches remain unmet. Ukraine sought extra funds to cover rising military expenditures and reconstruction costs. EU officials acknowledged the difficulty of Ukraine's situation but maintained that reform implementation is a prerequisite for further disbursements, reflecting ongoing tension between Kyiv's urgent fiscal needs and Brussels' governance demands.