Demands of Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister

Subject: Demands of Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister

In a recent interview on state broadcaster n-tv, Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, Andrei Melnyk, demanded that the European Union contribute 1 % of the Union’s GDP, which amounts to more than EUR 160 billion, to Ukraine. This would drain the Union’s resources and cause considerable damage to the Union’s economy, especially in the light of the quasi-stagnation of the Union’s economy and that of the eurozone (the latter has grown by just 6 % over the past 15 years).

What is the Commission’s attitude towards this demand and what was the Commission's official reaction to it?

Submitted:21.2.2024

Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

(27 May 2024)

The Commission has not received any official request from the Ukrainian authorities to provide financial support in relation to the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP). At the same time, since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its Member States have together mobilised EUR 98 billion in support of Ukraine and its people.

To further support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation in a predictable and flexible way beyond 2023, the Commission proposed the new Ukraine Facility, which — following the successful conclusion of interinstitutional negotiations — entered into force on 1 March 2024, and will provide up to EUR 50 billion over the period 2024-2027 (1).

Support to Ukraine under the Facility is linked to implementation of the agreed reform and investment steps. The Facility is also equipped with a robust framework for transparency, audit and control, to ensure the protection of EU financial interests throughout its implementation.

1 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) 2024/792 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 February 2024 establishing the Ukraine Facility (OJ L, 2024/792, 29.2.2024). | | ( | | )