Ukraine faces a funding gap of 2.5 trillion next year. Merz urges the 27 EU countries to fairly share the 1.6 trillion aid

A letter obtained by AFP on the 9th showed that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the EU must first reach a consensus on continuing to provide financial assistance to Ukraine next year in order to resolve the impasse facing the EU's next budget.

According to the "AFP" report, the European Union has pointed out that Ukraine will face a funding gap of 70 billion euros (approximately NT$2.5 trillion) in 2027, of which the 27 EU member states should try to shoulder about 45 billion euros (approximately NT$1.6 trillion). Leaders of EU member states are currently trying to discuss how to raise the funds and are also facing pressure to reach an agreement on the next overall EU budget before the end of this year.

In a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa, Merz argued that the 27 EU countries should fairly share the funds to be provided to Ukraine. "It is now becoming increasingly clear that next year we will have to fill a foreseeable funding gap of approximately 70 billion euros, of which approximately 45 billion euros will be borne by the EU. All member states must jointly commit to fairly sharing the responsibility for filling this funding gap without exception. This is an indispensable prerequisite for solving this problem and for discussing any other topics, especially those involving fiscal expenditures," Merz said.

Merz spoke out this time, linking Ukraine's financial aid issue to the EU's broader budget negotiations. EU leaders are under intense pressure to agree a budget by the end of the year. Since many EU member states will hold elections in 2027, with France’s election attracting the most attention, if budget negotiations continue to be delayed, the entire negotiation process may be blocked.

After Belgium objected to the use of frozen Russian central bank assets last year, the EU finally raised a 90 billion euro (approximately NT$3.3 trillion) loan for Ukraine. The funds are likely to be exhausted by the end of next year as Russia steps up its bombing of Ukraine's infrastructure. However, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis still said on the 9th that he was cautiously optimistic and believed that the EU could find a solution and provide Ukraine with funds.

European diplomats and EU officials also said they expected the EU to agree to a new loan to Ukraine, modeled on the previous 90 billion euro loan package.