EU presses G7 allies to fund Ukraine for 2027 as shortfall looms

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, is pressing partners in the Group of Seven (G7) to commit funding to Ukraine for 2027. The aim is to cover a 70 billion euro budget gap as aid from countries outside the bloc declines, the Financial Times reported, citing Commission estimates and diplomats.

Ukraine projects a funding shortfall of 70 billion euros in 2027, which the Commission also confirms. The figure takes into account military spending once the last weapons allocated under US President Joe Biden have arrived. US President Donald Trump has currently halted all direct financing for Ukraine.

Pledges have shrunk sharply

According to the Commission's forecast, Ukraine's non-EU allies have so far pledged only 4 billion euros for next year, far below the 19 billion euros in 2026. The G7 states — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan — plan to provide just 1 billion euros combined.

What the EU is doing

The EU has begun emergency planning to find extra money to keep Ukraine financially stable in 2027, in case NATO and G7 partners do not increase their aid. Commission officials are studying several mechanisms, including joint issuance of debt, which is to be discussed at a summit in late November. At the same time, Brussels is holding active bilateral talks with London, Ottawa and other capitals. European officials are waiting for the UK and Canadian 2027 budgets, hoping to see new commitments to support Ukraine.

Brussels nonetheless rules out covering the gap alone. A Commission spokesperson said the EU and its member states account for 80% of the aid pledged to Ukraine for 2027. In his words, Europe cannot meet Ukraine's financial needs by itself, and international partners, including NATO allies, must also contribute.

Partners' position unclear

A spokesperson for Canada's Finance Ministry noted that Ottawa has committed a total of 27 billion Canadian dollars in aid since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, but declined to speculate on what next week's budget may contain. Japan's Foreign Ministry disagreed with the Commission's conclusions, saying the government cannot make any final statements about future financial support for Ukraine, but is considering options, including in consultations among G7 members.

Beyond the budget gap, there is also a shortfall in military aid. The Commission estimates that 32 NATO countries are 13 billion euros short of fulfilling this year's pledge to give Kyiv 70 billion euros in defence support.