Von der Leyen to press UK for Ukraine funding at November summit

The European Union will demand that the United Kingdom increase its financial support for Ukraine during a summit in Brussels next month. EU leaders plan to press Prime Minister Andy Burnham for a larger contribution to Kyiv's defence budget as the bloc faces a projected gap in 2027 funding.

Ukraine estimates a €70 billion (£58 billion) shortfall for 2027 to cover defence and civilian needs. The European Commission states that the EU currently pays for 80% of Ukraine's financial requirements. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen considers two-thirds to be a fair share for the bloc, with the remaining third expected from other allies. Von der Leyen told reporters last week, "We will continue to lead, but we urgently need other partners to step up."

The EU will make similar requests to other G7 nations that have not yet committed to extra aid. Von der Leyen will ask Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for support at an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next week. Japan is also targeted for increased contributions. Officials may seek aid from Switzerland, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand if the initial targets do not provide enough cash.

The timing presents a challenge for the British government. Chancellor John Healey is preparing his first budget next week. He must balance calls for more spending against rising borrowing costs and a weakening economic outlook. Healey said earlier this month that he is "working on different ways we can step up support for Ukraine: military, diplomatic and economic."

Britain has committed £25 billion to Ukraine, including £16 billion in military aid. The Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker lists the UK as the fourth-largest donor, behind the US, Germany, and France. Weighted by GDP, the UK's contribution is 0.86% of national income. France provides 1.1% and Germany 1.5%, while Denmark gives 4.2% and Estonia 3.8%. The UK figure aligns more closely with France and Germany once their contributions to EU programmes are removed.

The November summit will also focus on trade and mobility agreements. Leaders are expected to finalize a deal on food and animal health to reduce Brexit paperwork. They will link the EU and UK emissions trading schemes to protect British industry from carbon taxes. A youth mobility scheme for those aged 18 to 30 is also on the table. The Commission proposed deferring the issue of university tuition fees to technical talks within six months of the summit. The UK wants to charge EU students international rates, which are about four times the domestic fee, while the EU seeks a return to pre-Brexit home rates.

EU diplomats believe they retain negotiating power because the trade deals will not take effect until a youth mobility agreement is reached. One EU diplomat noted, "The three elements are a sort of gift to the UK, but not a massive gift," adding that the UK needs these deals. A second diplomat said there is no clear majority among the 27 member states to postpone the tuition fee discussion for six months.