Defensive fight against Russia: Merz wants to talk about aid to Ukraine at the EU summit

Berlin. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) wants to speak at the EU summit in Ireland on Friday about further billions in aid for Ukraine next year. In a letter, he asked EU Council President Antonio Costa to put the issue “as a priority on the agenda for the lunch session” of the informal meeting in Dublin. The EU Commission had previously estimated the financial gap next year at 70 billion euros, of which the European Union should cover 45 billion euros.

Merz called on all EU states to make a “fair contribution to closing this gap”. He put the issue in the context of the EU's medium-term financial framework, on which an agreement is expected to be reached by the end of the year.

“Question of our indivisible European security”

In the course of the negotiations, “a solid, multi-year financing perspective for Ukraine from 2028” must be guaranteed. “Supporting Ukraine is a question of our indivisible European security, and this must also apply to the sharing of the burden of support,” says the Chancellor’s letter, which is available to the German Press Agency.

Last year, the EU approved Ukraine 90 billion euros for the years 2026 and 2027. But this sum is not enough: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj demanded a further 70 billion euros from his allies for the coming year in October in order to be able to defend themselves against the Russian attackers.

The heads of state and government then asked the EU Commission to submit a proposal to cover the additional financing needs.