Zelensky asks EU for €70 billion to fund Ukraine's war effort

Summary

At a summit in Brussels on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked EU leaders for an additional €70 billion in 2027 to sustain Ukraine's war effort; Al Jazeera put the request at $79 billion. The South China Morning Post reports he said the war would cost €155 billion next year and the extra funds were needed for defence, weapons and resilience. France 24 reports he feared Donald Trump would continue lifting Russia sanctions after Washington eased them in a diesel-supply deal; The Japan Times says Trump waived new Russia sanctions, while Le Monde says Zelensky described Trump's actions as a betrayal. In a later video, France 24 says Zelensky made the appeal amid a fresh row with Trump and said he was standing up for Ukraine.

Timeline

1. South China Morning Post

   16 Oct 2026, 15:09 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Zelensky asked EU leaders for an extra €70 billion next year, saying the war would cost €155 billion and the funds were needed for defence, weapons and resilience.

2. Al Jazeera

   16 Oct 2026, 16:02 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Zelensky asked EU leaders for an extra $79 billion to help Ukraine fight Russia next year.

3. France 24

   16 Oct 2026, 20:25 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Zelensky feared Trump would continue lifting sanctions on Russia after the US eased sanctions on Moscow in a diesel-supply deal, despite increased Russian strikes on Ukraine.

4. Le Monde

   16 Oct 2026, 23:25 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that Zelensky asked European allies at the Brussels summit for €70 billion in aid for 2027, weakened by what he called Trump's betrayal.

5. The Japan Times

   17 Oct 2026, 04:40 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reports that Trump waived new Russia sanctions as Ukraine's ties with the US slumped, while Zelensky urged EU leaders to keep financing Kyiv's fight with nearly $80 billion more next year.

6. France 24

   17 Oct 2026, 09:25 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Zelensky urged EU leaders to keep financing Ukraine's fight with nearly $80 billion more next year and said he was standing up for his country amid a fresh row with Trump.