Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday urged European Union leaders to approve an additional €70 billion (≈ $79 billion) in funding for next year, emphasizing that the conflict will require €155 billion in total and that the requested amount is essential for defense, weapons, and resilience. In a speech at an EU summit in Brussels, he said, “The war will cost €155 billion next year. We need at least €70 billion more from you—for defence, for weapons, and for our resilience. This is a realistic amount. I ask you to find this support. It will help us hold Russia back.” The EU, Ukraine’s principal ally and largest financial supporter, is currently disbursing installments of a €90 billion loan that was designed to sustain Kyiv through the end of 2027.
