# EU member states rejecting Ukraine aid package

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/eu-member-states-rejecting-ukraine-aid-package
> Updated: 2026-10-21T05:28:50.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

Several European Union member states have signaled their refusal to participate in a proposed 70 billion euro financial support package for Ukraine. The funding request, made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an EU summit in Brussels, aims to address projected defense needs and budget shortfalls for 2027.

Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have indicated they will not join the collective financing mechanism. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that while Bratislava will not participate in the EU-wide package, it will continue to support Kyiv through bilateral cooperation in areas such as energy, logistics, and infrastructure. Fico expressed a preference for peace negotiations over increased war funding.

Bulgaria has also announced it will opt out of the new request. Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that Sofia cannot take on additional financial obligations, noting that the war is exhausting European economies and causing social and political instability. This decision marks a shift in Bulgaria’s stance, as the country had previously participated in a 90 billion euro aid mechanism. Radev emphasized that a resolution to the conflict cannot be achieved through military means alone.

Domestically, the decision has drawn criticism from political opponents. Members of the GERB party, including Georg Georgiev and Daniel Mitov, accused Radev of using political rhetoric to divert public attention from domestic issues, such as rising prices for goods and fuel, and security concerns in the Black Sea.

## Claims

- Bulgaria will not participate in the 70 billion euro EU financial aid package for Ukraine. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested 70 billion euros from the EU for defense. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The EU previously approved 90 billion euros for Ukraine covering 2026 and 2027. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia negotiated exemptions from the previous 90 billion euro loan. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Rumen Radev stated that the war is exhausting European economies and causing social and political tension. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Georg Georgiev criticized Radev for shifting political debate away from economic issues like rising prices. (single source)
- Daniel Mitov accused the government of attempting to create political spectacles due to loss of control. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Bulgaria rejects EU financial aid package for Ukraine

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that Bulgaria will not join the EU's proposed 70 billion euro aid package for Ukraine, citing economic exhaustion and social instability.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-to-opt-out-of-new-eu-financial-aid-for-ukraine

### 2026-10-17: Slovakia and Hungary reject 70 billion euro EU aid package for Ukraine

Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have declined to join a proposed 70 billion euro EU aid package for Ukraine, though Slovakia maintains bilateral support through energy and infrastructure projects.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-hungary-and-czechia-reject-70-billion-euro-eu-aid-package-for-ukraine

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Cite as: EU member states rejecting Ukraine aid package. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/eu-member-states-rejecting-ukraine-aid-package