Europe must boost Ukraine funding, German chancellor says

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it is imperative to increase European funding for Ukraine next year, as Kyiv requests additional aid for 2027. He made the statement at the EU summit in Brussels. Funding for Ukraine is secured for 2026, but 2027 is expected to have a larger-than-anticipated budget gap. The EU has provided a 90-billion-euro loan for 2026-2027, but the amount is considered insufficient, prompting discussions among the 27 leaders. Merz also stated that frozen Russian central bank assets, totaling 210 billion euros, must remain in Europe and not be transferred to the US. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the summit, and several leaders supported Ukraine's right to strike Russian energy facilities.