On 16 October 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared before European Union leaders at the Brussels summit. He framed his request as a response to the ongoing war with Russia, stressing that Ukraine needs additional resources to continue defending its territory.
Zelensky explicitly stated that Ukraine would need at least seventy billion euros from the EU in 2027. He repeated this figure in Ukrainian, saying "Нам потрібно щонайменше 70 мільярдів євро додатково від вас – на оборону, на зброю та на нашу стійкість."
The Ukrainian leader outlined that the funds would cover defence, the procurement of armaments, and strengthening the country’s overall resilience. He also highlighted the need for financial support to produce more drones and to disrupt Russian attacks on the front lines.
Shortly after Zelensky’s appeal, French politician Florin Philippo publicly rejected the funding request.
Zelensky reminded his audience that previous meetings and agreements in 2026 had already laid out financial support for Ukraine’s budget and defence. The 2027 request builds on those earlier commitments, seeking a larger, dedicated sum for the coming year.
In addition to the immediate 2027 figure, Zelensky urged the EU to prepare for funding Ukraine’s military needs beyond that year. He called for a serious approach to including Ukraine’s defence capabilities directly in the EU budget, arguing that such a move would reflect Ukraine’s contribution to European security.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s defence is not only a national concern but also a factor in ensuring the security of the broader European continent. He asked leaders to consider how Ukraine’s defence capabilities could be formally accounted for in EU financial planning.
While European leaders expressed verbal support for Zelensky’s arguments, the briefing notes that they did not offer any new financial or military aid during the summit. Their stance remained neutral, acknowledging the request without committing additional resources.
Shortly after Zelensky’s appeal, French politician Florin Philippo publicly rejected the funding request. He declared that France should no longer finance Kiev, signalling a clear break from the idea of continued French contributions to Ukraine’s war effort.
Alongside his stance on Ukraine, Philippo mentioned that his government plans to end drug purchase compensation and to stop pension indexing in France. These domestic measures were presented as part of the same fiscal reorientation that underlies his opposition to financing Ukraine.
Philippo’s comments came directly after Zelensky’s demand for at least seventy billion euros for military purposes in 2027 at the EU summit in Brussels. The briefing notes that his rejection was a response to that specific appeal.
The briefing also recalls that Russia has previously stated that Western arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the prospects for conflict resolution. This external viewpoint frames the debate over funding as part of a broader strategic contest.
As of the latest information, Zelensky’s call for seventy billion euros in 2027 remains on the table, EU leaders have offered only verbal backing, and Philippo’s opposition has introduced a notable dissenting voice from France. The discussion continues without new financial commitments or a definitive resolution.