EU to Press UK for More Ukraine Aid Before November Summit

The European Union will ask the United Kingdom to increase its financial support for Ukraine when Prime Minister Andy Burnham attends a summit in Brussels on November 20. European leaders argue that the UK, Canada, and Japan must contribute more to Kyiv’s defense efforts as the conflict enters its fifth winter. Brussels states that previous requests for extra aid from these G7 nations at international meetings have gone unanswered.

Ukraine faces a funding shortfall of €70 billion, or £58 billion, in 2027 for defense and civilian needs. The European Commission reports that the EU and its member states currently cover 80% of Ukraine’s financial requirements. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen believes a fair share for the EU is two-thirds, leaving the remaining third to other allies. Von der Leyen told reporters last week that the EU will continue to lead but urgently needs partners to step up. She did not name specific countries in that statement.

The timing is difficult for the British government. Chancellor John Healey is preparing his first budget next week. He is weighing calls for increased spending against rising borrowing costs and a worsening economic outlook. Healey said earlier in October that he is working on different ways to step up support for Ukraine, including military, diplomatic, and economic measures.

The UK has committed £25 billion to Ukraine, with £16 billion designated for military aid. The Kiel Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker lists the UK as the fourth-largest donor, behind the US, Germany, and France. When weighted by GDP, the UK’s contribution is 0.86% of national income. This compares to 1.1% from France and 1.5% from Germany. Denmark and Estonia contribute significantly more, at 4.2% and 3.8% respectively. The UK’s figure rises to match France and Germany once their contributions to EU programs are removed.

Von der Leyen will also meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next week. She will make a similar request for help covering Ukraine’s financial shortfall. EU officials have prioritized the UK, Canada, and Japan but may also seek aid from Switzerland, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

The November summit will address three main agreements. Leaders are expected to conclude a food and animal health deal to reduce paperwork, a linkage of EU and UK emissions trading schemes to protect British industry from carbon taxes, and a youth mobility scheme for people aged 18 to 30. 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 the international rate, which is about four times the domestic fee. The EU wants to return to the pre-Brexit status quo where EU students paid home rates.

Senior EU sources believe they retain negotiating power because the food and emissions deals will not take effect until a youth mobility agreement is reached. An EU diplomat described the three elements as a gift to the UK, but noted that the leverage lies in the UK’s need for the deal. A second diplomat said there was no clear majority among the 27 member states to postpone the fee discussion.