The Guardian view on funding Ukraine’s resistance: a looming financial crisis in Kyiv must be averted | Editorial
As the geopolitical landscape shifts dramatically with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the European Union faces a pivotal challenge: how to bolster its financial and military support for Ukraine amidst dwindling resources and changing political dynamics. Recent events have underscored the urgent need for the EU to strengthen its solidarity with Ukraine, particularly as it becomes increasingly clear that the United States may not provide the necessary funding to sustain Ukraine’s defense efforts. In a notable instance earlier this year, U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized European leaders for their perceived lack of commitment, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced intense scrutiny during a high-profile meeting in the White House. These moments highlight the growing pressure on the EU to take a leading role in supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
According to EU estimates, Ukraine will require over €70 billion in additional financial assistance in 2025 to continue defending itself against Vladimir Putin’s relentless war of attrition. This financial burden comes at a time when U.S. support is uncertain, particularly with figures like Donald Trump signaling a reluctance to pursue new military aid funding from Congress. The stakes are high, as Ukraine’s ability to negotiate a favorable peace settlement hinges on its capacity to withstand the ongoing conflict. The war of attrition waged by Russia is not only aimed at depleting Ukraine’s resources but also seeks to undermine the resolve of its European allies. In this context, the EU must explore innovative solutions, such as leveraging Russia’s frozen assets or other financial mechanisms, to deliver the necessary support to ensure Ukraine can continue its defense and ultimately secure a lasting peace.
The situation calls for a united European front, as the ramifications of Ukraine’s struggle extend beyond its borders, impacting the stability and security of the entire continent. As 2025 approaches, the EU’s response will be critical in determining the outcome of this conflict and the future of European security. With the potential for significant geopolitical consequences, the EU’s commitment to Ukraine could serve as a litmus test for its unity and resolve in the face of external threats.
Whether by leveraging Russia’s frozen assets, or other means, the EU must deliver the cash necessary to withstand Putin’s war of attrition
In the early part of this year, as the US vice-president, JD Vance,
berated
European leaders in Munich, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was subjected to a televised
mauling
in the White House, it became starkly apparent that the bonds of solidarity between the European Union and Ukraine would need to be strengthened to cope with a new geopolitical reality. As 2025 draws to a close, a moment of reckoning has arrived.
According to EU
estimates
, Ukraine will need more than €70bn in extra financial assistance next year to keep defending itself against Vladimir Putin. That money won’t be coming from Washington, where Donald Trump has
refused
to seek new funding for military aid from Congress. Yet Kyiv’s ability to negotiate an acceptable peace depends on its capacity to withstand Mr Putin’s relentless war of attrition, which is designed to drain Ukraine of the resources necessary to resist, and to weaken the resolve of its European allies.
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