Zelensky Requests €70 Billion in Additional EU Support as Ukraine War Costs Projected at €155 Billion
At an EU summit in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested at least €70 billion in additional annual support from European leaders, stating the funds are needed for defence, weapons and resilience. Zelensky described the figure as realistic and asked the EU to locate the support, arguing it would help hold Russia back. Kyiv separately warned that annual wartime costs will reach US$174 billion, with the war projected to cost €155 billion next year. European leaders are debating whether to tap frozen Russian assets to bridge the funding shortfall. The request, equivalent to roughly $79 billion, comes as Ukraine faces mounting fiscal pressure from the ongoing conflict.
Key facts
- Zelensky asked the EU for at least €70 billion more in annual support
- The request was made in a speech at an EU summit in Brussels
- Zelensky said the war will cost €155 billion next year
- Kyiv warned annual wartime costs will hit US$174 billion
- Funds are sought for defence, weapons and resilience
- Zelensky called the amount realistic and urged the EU to find the support
- European leaders are debating tapping frozen Russian assets to bridge the funding shortfall
- The requested amount is equivalent to roughly $79 billion
Entities
Artists
- Volodymyr Zelensky
Institutions
- European Union
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- Kyiv
- Ukraine
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Russia