--- title: "Macron: Europe Will Not Abandon Ukraine and Will Consider Kyiv's €70B Defense Request" description: "Macron stated that Europe will not abandon Ukraine and will consider Kyiv's request for €70B in additional defense financing. EU leaders are discussing assistance mechanisms, including satellite systems and early warnings." date: 2026-10-17T04:48:15.501Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/macron-europe-consider-ukraine-defense-request tags: [france, ukraine, defense-funding, eu, macron, zelensky, starlink] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Macron: Europe Will Not Abandon Ukraine and Will Consider Kyiv's €70B Defense Request ![French President Emmanuel Macron makes statements regarding international support for Ukraine.](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/17/makron-evropa-rassmotrit-zapros-ukrainy-na-70-mlrd-na-oboronu/makron-evropa-rassmotrit-zapros-ukrainy-na-70-mlrd-na-oboronu-1.webp) ## Key Points - Macron stated that Europe will consider Kyiv's request for €70 billion in additional defense financing. - France is working on assisting Ukraine with satellite imagery and early warning systems. - On October 16, Zelenskyy requested at least €70 billion for defense in 2027 at the European Council, estimating the war's cost at ~€155 billion. - Sources cite the requested amount in different currencies — dollars or euros. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europe will not abandon Ukraine and will consider Kyiv's request for additional defense financing. According to him, the funding issue will be discussed with the participation of G7 countries, partners, and primarily European states. The statement came amid ongoing negotiations regarding support mechanisms for Kyiv in 2027. ### Funding Mechanism: G7, Partners, and Europeans "We will certainly consider the issue of financing. Financing that will be provided by the G7 countries, our partners, and of course, the Europeans," Macron was quoted as saying by RBC-UA. The specific instrument for the new funding, according to Reuters, is still subject to agreement: options under discussion include new lending and other financial instruments. Earlier, the Ukrainian Prime Minister pointed out that foreign partners have not yet closed the country's budget deficit. ### Satellite Imagery and Early Warning Systems The French leader also reported that Europe is working on assisting Ukraine in the field of satellite technologies and early warning systems. According to him, tensions in relations with the US have highlighted Kyiv's dependence on American battlefield technologies. "We are making every effort to help Ukraine strengthen its self-defense capability through satellite imagery and early warning systems, which are vital," Macron stated. Recently, according to media reports, Elon Musk's SpaceX restricted the operating speed of Starlink terminals; Musk reportedly approached US President Donald Trump with this initiative, who supported it. ### Zelenskyy's Request at the European Council On October 16, at a meeting of the European Council, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine needs at least €70 billion for defense in 2027. He explained that, by his estimate, the cost of the war for Ukraine next year could amount to about €155 billion, and Kyiv intends to direct additional funds toward defense, weapons procurement, and increasing state resilience. Zelenskyy emphasized that additional financing will significantly boost drone production. ### Context: Budget Deficit and Discrepancies in Figures In late September, the Ukrainian Prime Minister accused allies of failing to find funds to cover the budget deficit, although Kyiv had already stated a lack of funding back in February. In open reports, the requested amount is cited differently: some publications indicate $70 billion, while others state €70 billion. The currency discrepancy does not change the core fact: partners confirm the request will be considered. ## Accounts differ ### Currency and amount of requested defense financing - **RBC-UA / NV (headlines):** Kyiv's request is $70 billion. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/partneri-ukrayini-rozglyanut-zapit-kieva-1792194369.html)) - **TSN (headline and text):** Kyiv's request is €70 billion for 2027. ([tsn.ua](https://tsn.ua/ru/politika/partnery-ukrainy-rassmotryat-zapros-kieva-na-70-mlrd-evro-dlya-oborony-makron-3192095.html)) *Where they agree:* Partners will consider Kyiv's request for additional defense financing; Zelenskyy voiced the request at the European Council on October 16. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Партнеры Украины рассмотрят запрос Киева о 70 млрд долларов на оборону, - Макрон](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/partneri-ukrayini-rozglyanut-zapit-kieva-1792194369.html) - Primary source: Macron's quote on reviewing G7/partner/European financing; €70B request (headline mentions dollars). - [Партнеры Украины рассмотрят запрос Киева на 70 млрд евро для обороны — Макрон](https://tsn.ua/ru/politika/partnery-ukrainy-rassmotryat-zapros-kieva-na-70-mlrd-evro-dlya-oborony-makron-3192095.html) - Confirms Zelenskyy's request for €70B for 2027, war cost ~€155B, mechanism discussion (Reuters). - [Макрон: партнеры рассмотрят запрос Украины на 70 млрд долларов для обороны](https://nv.ua/world/geopolitics/finansirovanie-oborony-ukrainy-partnery-rassmatrivayut-zapros-na-70-mlrd-dollarov-50650872.html) - Confirms Macron's statement; headline lists the amount in dollars. - [Премьер Украины обвинил союзников в неспособности найти деньги на конфликт](https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2026/09/28/29407963.shtml) - Context: budget deficit and funding shortage announced back in February. ## FAQ ### What exactly did Macron say about Ukraine's financing? He stated that Europe will not abandon Ukraine and will consider Kyiv's request for additional defense financing provided by G7 countries, partners, and Europeans. ### How much did Ukraine request and for which year? According to Zelenskyy at the European Council on October 16, at least €70 billion for defense in 2027; he estimated the cost of the war for Ukraine at approximately €155 billion. ### In what currency is the amount specified? There is a discrepancy in sources: some publications cite $70 billion, others €70 billion. Zelenskyy's statement features euros. ### What else is Europe doing to help Ukraine? According to Macron, Europe is working on assistance regarding satellite imagery and early warning systems.