EU leaders press Burnham towards greater Ukraine defence support as summit tackles Brexit deals

Ukraine’s funding gap

At the Brussels summit, EU leaders are expected to press Andy Burnham to provide more support for Ukraine’s defence effort in 2027. The article does not explain Burnham’s role in the UK government.

Ukraine says it needs €70bn (£58bn) to meet defence and civilian costs in 2027. The EU agreed last year to lend Ukraine €90bn, intended to cover two-thirds of its funding needs across 2026 and 2027.

Russia’s attacks have intensified as the war heads into its fifth winter, and Ukraine’s costs are rising. The British government says it has committed £25bn to Ukraine, including £16bn in military aid.

Support also discussed abroad

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is due to ask Canadian prime minister Mark Carney to help address Ukraine’s expected funding shortfall. Their meeting is scheduled for an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next week.

Post-Brexit agreements on agenda

Ukraine is one of several topics planned for the EU-UK summit. Leaders are expected to conclude agreements on food and animal health, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme.

The food and animal health agreement, known as SPS, is intended to reduce Brexit paperwork. Linking the EU and UK emissions trading schemes is intended to protect British industry from European carbon taxes. The proposed mobility scheme would let people aged 18 to 30 live, work, travel and study on both sides of the Channel.

Tuition fees remain disputed

A second diplomat said EU member states had not reached agreement on postponing the issue. “There is no clear majority saying ‘let’s drop it now for six months’,” the diplomat said.