European Union leaders are planning a special European Council meeting on November 26–27 to discuss financing for Ukraine in 2027 and the bloc's next long-term budget, European Pravda reported on October 21, citing a European official familiar with a meeting of EU ambassadors.
According to the outlet, the plans for the upcoming meetings were presented by Pedro Lourtie, head of European Council President António Costa's cabinet, during a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU member states.
The proposed special summit would focus on two issues: the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2028–2034 and Ukraine's funding needs in 2027.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously told European leaders that the country's war-related expenditures next year could reach €155 billion. He called on international partners to find an additional €70 billion.
The European Commission has also acknowledged the need to cover an estimated €70 billion funding shortfall for Ukraine. The European Council tasked the commission with preparing proposals to raise the necessary funds.
According to European Pravda's source, Costa's team plans to hold individual consultations with representatives of all 27 EU member states in the coming weeks. The discussions are expected to form the basis of a revised negotiating document for the bloc's next seven-year budget.
Before the special summit, European leaders also plan to hold an informal meeting in Dublin on November 13 focused on artificial intelligence. That meeting has a different agenda from the discussions of financial commitments planned for later in the month.
Negotiations over assistance to Ukraine are taking place alongside discussions of the EU's own long-term budget priorities, complicating agreement on funding levels and sources.
The proposed summit does not mean that funds for Ukraine have already been allocated. Decisions on the amount of assistance, where the money will come from and the conditions attached to it have yet to be agreed.