European Union approves budget for 2025 with €15.2bn for Ukraine

This was reported by the press service of the European Parliament, European Pravda reports.

The budget for 2025 was adopted by 418 votes, with 185 deputies against and 67 abstentions. The estimate will be 6% higher than this year's, which means an increase of €10 billion.

MEPs have made the EU budget for 2025 more effective in supporting areas such as healthcare, humanitarian aid, border management and climate change.

The European Parliament also recalled that in February 2024, when reviewing the EU's long-term budget, the EP achieved a significant increase in spending on key priorities, including support for Ukraine, and these priorities were retained in the 2025 budget.

It is also reported that the European Commission has envisaged €15.2 billion for Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program in the draft budget.

‘This budget addresses urgent challenges including Russian aggression in its war against Ukraine, ongoing migration pressures, the escalating crisis in the Middle East, the impact of natural disasters, and crucially the competitiveness of our economies. This will ensure the EU can respond effectively to these pressing realities’ said Johan Van Overtveldt, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets.

It is worth noting that more than 90% of the EU budget finances activities in the EU and beyond, benefiting citizens, regions, farmers, researchers, students, NGOs, and businesses. Unlike national budgets, the EU budget is primarily focused on investment to generate growth and opportunities across the European Union.

• In mid-November, the European Commission agreed to allocate €4.1 billion to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program.