Zelensky Asks EU for an Additional €70 Billion Next Year

Key Statements at the European Council:

▪️ Ukraine needs an additional €70 billion from Europe next year for defense, weapons and national resilience. The cost of the war effort in 2027 is estimated at €155 billion.

▪️ Ukraine could double or triple drone production with more funding.

▪️ The US diesel deal with Russia will give Putin more money to finance the war, while doing little to offset the impact of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz on global markets.

▪️ Putin could be pushed towards peace if Washington increases pressure and forces him to choose between ending the war and losing the money to sustain it.

▪️ Russia will remain a threat, as Putin is building a North Korea-style state that prepares children for war from an early age.

▪️ Ukraine’s army and defense technologies also protect Europe. Zelensky urged the EU to factor this contribution into its post-2028 budget and invest in Ukrainian defense factories and joint weapons production.