'Big fight' coming in EU over new loan to Ukraine amid cash shortages The EU's divisions over the next long-term EU budget have grown, due to different views on the allocation of €70 billion to Kyiv. These issues are increasingly intertwined and conflicting with each other, while European leaders want to reach agreements on both fronts by the end of the year. The European Commission is preparing options for additional financing for Ukraine, which will probably amount to a new loan. Meanwhile, the 17 EU member states oppose cuts to the EU budget and prefer maintaining European subsidies for regional development and agricultural support. Some of these countries - Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria - at the same time refuse to accept commitments for another loan. They are under pressure from the biggest donors in Ukraine - Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. However, the number of countries opposed to supporting Ukraine is expected to increase next year amid a series of upcoming national elections.