EU leaders set to demand higher UK aid for Ukraine at November summit

European Union leaders will ask Britain to pay more for Ukraine's defense in 2027. This demand comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares to attend a summit in Brussels. The EU argues that the UK, Canada, and Japan should contribute more to support Kyiv. Brussels notes that previous requests for extra financial aid from these G7 nations went unanswered at recent international meetings.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will make a similar request to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. She plans to do this at an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next week. Burnham will meet with von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa on 20 November. That meeting has been long awaited. The EU will use this forum to ask the British government to help cover Ukraine's looming financial shortfall.

The timing is delicate for the British government. Chancellor John Healey is preparing his first budget next week. He is weighing calls for more spending against rising government borrowing costs. The economic outlook is also darkening. Healey said earlier this month that he is working on different ways to step up support for Ukraine. He cited military, diplomatic, and economic options.

Ukraine faces a funding shortfall of €70 billion in 2027. This amount covers defense and civilian needs. The EU and its member states currently pay for 80% of Ukraine's financial needs. The commission considers a fair EU share to be two-thirds. The remaining third should be covered by other allies. Von der Leyen told reporters last week that the EU will continue to lead. She added that other partners need to step up urgently.

The EU agreed to a €90 billion loan for Ukraine last year. This loan was meant to cover two-thirds of Kyiv's funding in 2026 and 2027. Russia has escalated its attacks, dragging the war into its fifth winter. Ukraine's costs continue to spiral. EU officials have prioritized the UK, Canada, and Japan. They may also look to Switzerland, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand for additional aid.

Britain has committed £25 billion to Ukraine, including £16 billion in military aid. The UK is the fourth largest donor behind the US, Germany, and France. Weighted by GDP, the UK contribution is 0.86% of national income. This is lower than France at 1.1% and Germany at 1.5%. Denmark contributes 4.2% and Estonia 3.8%. The UK is more in line with France and Germany once their contribution to EU programs is stripped out.

Ukraine will be one of several issues at the summit. Leaders expect to conclude three agreements. These include a food and animal health deal to reduce Brexit paperwork. They will link EU and UK emissions trading schemes to protect British industry. A youth mobility scheme will let people aged 18 to 30 live and work across the Channel. The commission proposed deferring the question of university tuition fees. Senior EU sources are confident of retaining leverage because the other deals will not come into force until the youth mobility agreement is acceptable. One EU diplomat said the three elements are a gift to the UK but not a massive one. The leverage is that the UK needs this. A second diplomat noted there is no clear majority among the 27 member states to drop the fee issue for six months.