The Guardian view on funding Ukraine’s resistance: a looming financial crisis in Kyiv must be averted | Editorial
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, the need for robust financial support from the European Union (EU) has never been more critical. With the war entering a protracted phase, Ukraine faces an estimated requirement of over €70 billion in additional financial assistance for the upcoming year. This urgent need arises as the United States, under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, has signaled a reluctance to pursue new military aid funding from Congress. This shift in U.S. policy raises significant concerns about the sustainability of Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, particularly as the Kremlin employs a strategy of attrition aimed at depleting Ukraine’s resources and undermining European solidarity.
The EU is now confronted with a pivotal moment in its support for Ukraine, as highlighted by recent tensions among Western leaders. Earlier this year, U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized European leaders for not doing enough to support Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced tough questioning during a visit to the White House. These incidents underscore the necessity for the EU to not only maintain but also enhance its financial commitments to Ukraine in the face of mounting challenges. One potential avenue for securing these funds could be the leveraging of Russia’s frozen assets, which could provide a substantial financial boost to Ukraine’s defense efforts. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the EU’s ability to deliver on its promises of support will be crucial in helping Ukraine withstand the ongoing pressures from Russia and in negotiating a viable peace in the future.
In conclusion, as 2025 approaches, the EU must act decisively to address Ukraine’s financial needs, ensuring that it can continue to resist Russian aggression effectively. The stakes are high—not just for Ukraine, but for the stability of the entire region. Strengthening the bonds of solidarity between the EU and Ukraine will be essential in countering Putin’s war of attrition and in safeguarding democratic values in Europe. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the EU can rise to this challenge and provide the necessary support to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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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