Kužnieks: EU Support for Ukraine Has Reached €231.5 Billion
The European Union and its member states provide 80% of all international aid to Ukraine, with total support reaching €231.5 billion. In an opinion piece, Andris Kužnieks argues that European solidarity cannot be measured in money alone.
More than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union remains the country's largest source of support. In an opinion piece published by Delfi, Andris Kužnieks summarises EU assistance: together with its member states, the bloc provides 80% of international aid to Ukraine, and total support for Ukraine and its people has reached €231.5 billion. The article reflects the author's view, which may differ from the position of Delfi's editorial board.
Finance, defence and refugees
The EU provides financial aid to keep core state functions running, along with military support and help for people displaced by the war. A €90 billion loan programme for 2026 and 2027 has been launched, with about two thirds earmarked for defence. Nearly 97,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in the EU's military assistance mission.
Almost 4.5 million people who fled Ukraine have received temporary protection in the EU. Latvia has taken in 30,910, Germany about 1.29 million and Poland about 939,000.
EU security, energy and sanctions
Because of the war, the EU has created SAFE, a €150 billion loan instrument for joint defence procurement. Latvia has been allocated about €3.5 billion and received its first loan of €524.7 million this August. Russia's share of EU gas imports fell from 45% in 2021 to 12% in 2025.
The EU has frozen about €210 billion in Russian central bank assets; Ukraine has already received €3.8 billion from the revenue they generate. In October, 826 companies and 743 of their executives were added to the sanctions list, bringing the total number of listed persons and entities close to 4,600. The European Commission is working on a 22nd sanctions package.
The path to EU membership
On 13 October, the EU and Ukraine opened talks on two new accession negotiating clusters: the internal market and competitiveness, and inclusive growth. Negotiations on the EU's 2028–2034 budget are still under way; the Commission's proposal provides up to €100 billion for Ukraine.
