Through 2026-2027, the European Union (EU) plans to continue providing support to Ukraine, addressing issues of support for the war and support from allies. This long-term plan was taken during the 2026 annual EU summit on October 23. This shows that the EU plans to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression in the long term.
EU leaders plan to support calls for Ukraine’s continued military aid
Analysts suggest that Ukraine will need tens of billions of euros to continue military and civilian operations for the two years 2026-2027.
This new plan is important considering the lack of support for Ukraine’s recovery coming from the U.S., which makes the European support that much more important. This also demonstrates that the EU recognizes support for Ukraine is not just strategic and economic, it’s also humanitarian.
The opportunity to stretch the illegal Russian state for assets for Ukraine war reparations was one of the most notable Russian-Ukraine summit discussions. Assets frozen during the Ukraine invasion could be deployed during the reparations phase of the invasion by breaching the border during the initial financing.
The final version of the summit, however, contained clarifications to the initial text.
How should the EU approach this situation?
The EU should design an approach that does not set an undesirable legal precedent.
- Assessment and proposal – The European Commission has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive plan concerning Ukraine’s funding needs and how those could be met using frozen assets. A more definitive outcome is expected at the next summit, and it will focus on the Commission’s proposals.
- Legal framework – Any plan for the use of frozen assets will have to respect international law concerning property rights and potential Russian legal countermeasures on the use of their funds.
- Ongoing Unity – The EU’s promise and unity will be even more scrutinized as U.S. support remains unpredictable and the costs of war escalate.
- Encouragement: The transfer of funds not only serves the purpose of financial support, but it also serves as an indicator that Ukraine will receive funds during peace negotiations. It shows Ukraine that the West is invested in the negotiations politically and financially.
The European Union was instructed to develop a financing target range
The EU commission was instructed to develop a financing target range projected net-Ukraine yields and offers quasi-immobilized Russian assets versus open-immobilized assets (debt burden).
The final text added that:
“Russian assets will remain justified and legally immobilized, the stance will be preserved while removing immobilized assets by the war aggressor and compensating for damages.”
The contrast in legal phrasing committed the EU to justify long-immobilized Russian assets for Ukraine, which will practically preserve the EU’s stance on frozen Russian assets in the long-term European financing strategy for Ukraine.
Financial support allows Ukraine to have some flexibility. With a stretched budget, military capabilities and reconstruction are affected. The plan for frozen assets paves a geopolitical message, beyond the risks of funding. It showcases to Russia that the West is ready for a long fight.
For the EU, it is a balancing act of firmness and pragmatism
Member states, such as Belgium, which hosts a major depository of Russian assets through financial infrastructure firm Euroclear, raised risks on the legal and financial sides, particularly about potential claims on reimbursement from Russia down the road.
With the potential of using Russian assets and pledging 2 more years of financial support for Ukraine, the EU suggests strategic recalibration and long-term support. While legal and technical concerns still exist, the outcome of the summit indicates that there is an evolving European consensus. Ukraine is strategically important for Eastern European security and for the Trans-Atlantic alliance.