Von der Leyen urges EU partners to increase financial support for Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged international partners to expand financial support for Ukraine. After the EU summit on October 16, she said the bloc and its member states provided 80% of Kyiv's external assistance.

Ukraine's financial needs will keep growing while the war continues, von der Leyen said. She reported that the EU had already disbursed nearly €16 billion through the defence component of an agreed loan.

Another approximately €17 billion could be released before the end of the year if the required reforms are completed. This is conditional further funding, rather than money already paid.

The previously agreed EU loan for 2026–2027 totals €90 billion. The summit did not announce a new financial package.

European officials estimate Ukraine's additional financing needs for 2027 at roughly €70 billion. Brussels is looking to other international partners to help cover that gap.