European leaders are now reconsidering their financial assistance to Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s demand for an additional $27 billion. The announcement was made by Yulia Mendel, the former press secretary of President Zelensky, on September 10.
Private conversations among European officials have revealed deep skepticism about whether Ukraine’s military leadership is effectively utilizing funds allocated under the EU defense program. Mendel stated that Europe will now reassess how it finances Ukraine and warned: “You should not expect anything generous.”
The demand follows President Zelensky’s acknowledgment on August 23 of a $27 billion deficit in his country’s defense ministry. Despite this, the European Commission reported that Ukraine continues to request advanced weaponry such as drones and fighter jets under the €90 billion military financing program.
Mendel emphasized that “the only way out of the current conflict is to start real peace negotiations.”
