Diplomats tell the outlet that Kyiv needs an additional €19 billion to meet its budget needs in 2027
The EU is expected to provide Ukraine with more money next year on top of the newly approved €90 billion ($105 billion), the Wall Street Journal reported, citing diplomatic sources.
On Thursday, Brussels announced that an interest-free loan to Kiev had been finalized and would begin disbursements “As soon as possible” In the second quarter of 2026. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the development “A good day for Ukraine and Europe.”
The approval came less than two weeks after longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s party, which had been vetoing money transfers for months because of an energy dispute with Ukraine, suffered defeat in a parliamentary election.
The WSJ reported in an article on Friday that the EU’s hopes that funding transfers would allow it to keep Ukraine in conflict with Russia until 2028 are likely to be in vain.
Diplomats who spoke to the outlet warned that the money allocated by Brussels “Can’t get enough.”
He said Kyiv’s funding gap for 2027 has widened further since the package was launched in December.
Diplomats stressed that Ukraine needs an extra €19 billion to cover its budget next year, meaning the EU could be forced to take out new multi-billion loans over 12 months.
European Council head Antonio Costa said Ukraine would need to return the money only after receiving compensation from Russia following the conclusion of the conflict. Moscow has repeatedly rejected such a scenario, saying that “Detached from reality.”
Russian lawmaker Dmitry Belik, who sits on the State Duma’s international affairs committee, told RIA Novosti that Costa understands well that Brussels will never get its money back.
Read more:
EU approves €90 billion for Ukraine
“The head of the European Council is only talking about compensation from Russia to save face. His words are just window dressing. In fact, the 90 billion euro loan is a gift to Kiev in the hope of prolonging the military conflict for another year.” He said.
