Europe feels the strain of war in Ukraine The Statesman 27 Oct 2026
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Europe feels the strain of war in Ukraine The Statesman 27 Oct 2026
The continuing war in Ukraine is placing strain not only on Kiev but also Europe, especially since it assumed sole responsibility to fund Ukraine. Trump reduced financial support to Ukraine seeking to push Kiev into accepting a peace deal more suited to Russia than itself, which Zelensky refuses, though he appears to be bending now. Inputs mention that since Jan 2025, US support to Ukraine reduced from USD 130 billion, during the tenure of President Biden, to USD 540 million now. The US desires that Europe purchase military equipment for supporting Ukraine from US manufacturers.
In end 2024, just prior to the conclusion of his presidency, Biden approved provision of artillery ammunition, rockets and armoured vehicles for Ukraine. He also released a $ 1.25 billion aid package. Europe was aware that Donald Trump coming into the White House would imply cuts in aid to Ukraine. The same happened.
Trump had stated during his electioneering, ‘You (Zelensky) should have never started it (war). You could have made a deal.’ Trump recently mentioned ‘The United States has spent a fortune. Europe has spent a fortune. Europe’s tired of it right now.’ Trump believes Zelensky is prolonging the war due to financial and military support it receives from Europe. For Europe, Ukraine is a frontline state, defending it from Russian expansionism, despite Putin stating on multiple occasions that he has no such intention. In a recent interview Putin termed this belief of Europe as ‘some kind of political schizophrenia.’
On 16th Oct, during an EU summit, Zelensky announced that the war in 2027 would cost Ukraine an additional € 155 billion. He therefore requested EU for an additional € 70 billion loan, alongside a previously released € 90 billion. These were to be utilized for defence, weapon production and national resilience. It is forced to bank on support from Europe. Europe made no commitment to fund Ukraine’s additional demand.
Europe has been funding Ukraine through a combination of market borrowings, utilizing interest from frozen Russian central bank assets to structure loans and specific defence production programs. To meet additional funding demands, Europe is considering either enhancing joint debt, increase national budget grants or exploit Russia’s frozen asset funds.
The earlier amount of € 90 billion was accepted on the assumption that the war would conclude in 2026. That does not seem to be happening. Europe has not been able to exploit the € 210 billion in frozen Russian assets held largely by the Central Security Depository Euroclear in Belgium due to blocks by members. The US has been proposing that Europe release some part of frozen Russian assets back to Russia to encourage a peace deal, which they are unwilling to accept.
Within the EU there are questions on continuing support for Ukraine. Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia have refused to join the funding of € 90 billion package to Ukraine. Bulgaria announced that it would no longer contribute towards procurement of new lethal weapons for Ukraine. Their reasons are varying.
Europe will also face a series of elections in 2027 which could impede support to Ukraine. While Spain has elections in end Nov, Poland, Italy, France, Estonia, Finland, Greece and Slovakia go to polls next year. In all these countries there are political parties exploiting funding for Ukraine for gaining brownie points.
Marine Le Pen, challenger to President Macron of France, commented recently, ‘This funding will stop, and it is a matter of honesty to tell (Zelensky) the truth.’ She has also called for an end to Europe’s sanctions on Russia. In Germany, the growing political party, AfD (Alternate for Germany), is demanding restoration of energy ties with Russia. It also believes support for Ukraine is ‘self-sabotaging.’ A similar scenario is emerging in Italy and Poland.
The EU is compelled to approach non-EU nations like Canada, UK, Norway and Japan to join the funding plan. Simultaneously, Europe is backing a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Meanwhile large parts of Europe are facing protests over multiple issues including low education funding, high costs of living, soaring fuel and energy costs, housing shortages and declining public services. Added to this is growing frustration over sponsoring multi-billion military and financial packages for Ukraine. There is a belief that these funds could have been better utilized for domestic needs.
This internal pressure will continue and possibly be fuelled by outside sources, aware that they can influence Europe’s determination to support Ukraine. Euronews mentions that while there is no evidence that foreign powers fuelled riots in Europe, there is a belief that they exploited it to push their own narratives. Italian and French governments have tasked their intelligence agencies to investigate whether Russian agents or online networks linked to Russia stoked local unrest.
Simultaneously, US pressure on Zelensky mounts, especially after the 09 Oct conversation between Trump and Putin. Speeds of Starlink and Starshield have reduced, restricting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. It has since been restored. US equipment supplies have slowed to a trickle. Intelligence sharing comes in spurts as also the US agreed to a diesel deal with Russia, while lifting sanctions. Zelensky accused the US of preventing European nations from transferring their Patriot stocks to it.
Zelensky has seen the writing on the wall. In an interview with multiple channels Zelensky is now stating that he is open to a deal which involves freezing of frontlines. He mentioned, ‘Right now, we have to freeze, and I think this is a real way to end this war.’ The reason he gave was, ‘Of course, we are not losing this war. But we are losing people.’
Russia is exploiting the scenario in Europe. While it backs trilateral talks involving the US and Ukraine, commencing post 10th Nov (after US mid-term election results), it is unwilling to agree to a ceasefire. It continues its attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine is responding by strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, targeting just what Trump seeks to avoid. There are also reports that Putin has slowed repairs of Russian refineries damaged by Ukraine, thus keeping oil prices high, impacting US midterm elections.
Putin is aware that war with Ukraine would add pressure on European finances as they cannot stop funding Ukraine, especially as the US is out. Support to Ukraine is also being exploited by local opposition political parties as also agents of inimical nations to fuel anger within Europe. There is no easy solution for European leaders.