Ukraine Turns 35: Celebrate With a €6.1 Billion Gift Card

August 24, 2026. Ukraine turns 35 today, and Europe has arrived at the birthday party carrying exactly what every independent 35-year-old democracy apparently needs: heads of government, missile technology and several billion euros.

Independence traditionally meant being able to conduct your own affairs without relying upon somebody else's treasury. Ukraine's current version involves European capitals deciding how many billions will be transferred next, Washington and European governments deciding which weapons may be supplied and used, and foreign taxpayers signing everything from air defence to the ordinary functioning of the Ukrainian state.

Kyiv marked Independence Day with a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing and another parade of European leaders demonstrating that, whatever else may be running short after four and a half years of war, political enthusiasm for spending money has survived remarkably well.

The European Commission approved another €6.1 billion for Ukrainian defence today, covering air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars. Ursula von der Leyen described Europe as “stepping up.” European Council President António Costa was conveniently already in Kyiv to participate in the stepping.

Germany is spending a record €11.5 billion on military support for Ukraine in 2026.

Norway announced another 85 billion Norwegian crowns, around $9.2 billion, for 2027.

The UK's freshly installed Prime Minister Andy Burnham chose Kyiv for his first foreign trip and arrived bearing permission for MBDA to hand over classified information on British components of the SCALP cruise missile so production can be established locally.

France and Italy are joining in too. Ukraine is set to become the first combat user of the new Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG air-defence system, while licensed production of Aster 30 interceptors is planned inside Ukraine. France has also agreed to licensed Ukrainian production of SCALP missiles and AASM bombs.

Happy Independence Day.

The EU had already celebrated slightly early in July by adopting its 21st sanctions package against Russia after objections from countries including Greece and Austria delayed agreement. The eventual package added another 218 individuals and entities to the sanctions lists and expanded restrictions covering finance, energy, shipping, cryptocurrency and dual-use technology.

The €6.1 billion begin to sound almost modest in comparison to the EU and its member states total support for Ukraine since 2022.

Don't look at what exactly Europe is congratulating.

Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022. It has held neither a presidential nor parliamentary election since 2022, and there is still no confirmed date for either. Zelensky's elected presidential term was due to end in May 2024.

We have been here before. In July, while Russia prepared for parliamentary elections and Israel prepared for another national vote despite years of war, Zelensky again stated that Ukraine would not hold elections while the country remained under martial law. Iran, sanctions, missiles and regional wars notwithstanding, also continues to manage scheduled presidential elections. Ukraine remains the exceptional case.

The war justifies martial law.

Martial law prevents elections.

The war continues, therefore martial law continues, therefore elections remain somewhere beyond the horizon.

Meanwhile Europe continues describing the enormous financial and military commitment required to sustain the arrangement as the defence of democracy.

Happy birthday, Ukraine. Don't spend it all at once.

For interested readers - here the money flows to Ukraine, listed one by one.