Macron says partners will consider Ukraine's request for $70 billion in defense funding

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on October 16 that international partners, including G7 countries, European states, and other allies, will consider Ukraine's request for $70 billion in additional defense funding, according to New Voice of Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky requested an additional 70 billion euros to cover defense and resilience needs in 2027 during an EU leaders summit in Brussels.

This request follows the European bloc's approval of a 90 billion euro loan to support Ukraine until the end of 2027.

According to the Kyiv Independent, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said his country would not participate in the requested 70-billion-euro support package, noting that Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar took a similar stance. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis also signaled his country would not join the additional financing package. Fico noted that Bratislava would continue to assist Kyiv through energy cooperation, logistics, and educational projects.

Interfax-Ukraine reports that following a European Council meeting in Brussels on October 15-16, EU leaders called on Ukraine to intensify reform efforts and fulfill conditions necessary for timely funding under the Ukraine Facility and the support loan. While welcoming the disbursement of current payments totaling EUR 90 billion for 2026 and 2027, the European Council stated it remains committed to addressing Ukraine's financing needs alongside international partners.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv Independent — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.