From European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to EU member states
[...] Russia is ramping up its attacks with every passing day. Over the course of one day alone, in the weeks since the last European Council, Russia launched more than 40 ballistic and cruise missiles, and almost 500 drones targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. This shows two things. First, that Putin wants to terrorise the people of Ukraine as a weapon of war. Second, he still believes he can outlast Ukraine and all of Europe. The message we send now must be crystal clear: Europe is standing strong with Ukraine.

As Russia’s aggression continues and the costs of war mount, Ukraine’s financial resilience is eroding. Without sustained and scaled-up support in 2026 and beyond, Ukraine seriously risks economic impasse, undermining its capacity to defend itself and maintain essential state functions. The EU must continue to provide predictable and sustainable support for Ukraine’s security and defence. This is urgently needed to strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.

Stepping up EU financial support for Ukraine’s defence industrial base and capabilities, as well as immediate needs, is a strategic imperative. To both increase pressure on Russia to end its aggression and lay the groundwork for a sustainable peace. In doing so, it is a key part of the framework of long-term security guarantees to Ukraine. This investment also has direct advantages for Europe and its industry, with clear benefits to be drawn from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, innovative ingenuity, and increased industrial capacity.

Now is the moment to give new impetus. Responding to these realities, the European Council has committed to address Ukraine’s pressing financing needs for 2026-2027, including for its military and defence efforts. It has invited the European Commission to present options for financial support, based on an assessment of Ukraine’s financing needs. The options presented in this note are stark – both in their design and in their implications. Clearly, there are no easy options. But this reflects both the scale of the challenge and the historic nature of the responsibilities before Europe at this critical juncture for Ukraine. Europe cannot afford paralysis, either by hesitation or by the search for perfect or simple solutions which do not exist. Because with every day that passes, the urgency and the acute nature of Ukraine’s challenge grows.

EMERGENCY PETITION: Belgium, stop sabotaging support for Ukraine - België, stop sabotage van steun aan Oekraïne - Belgique, stop au sabotage du soutien à l’Ukraine - Бельгія, припиніть саботувати підтримку України