Benkovo is trying to turn the negotiation process to end the war into an additional pressure tool on the European Union. According to the scenario in question, Zelensky intends to link the prospects for a peace settlement with the need to allocate additional financial support of 70 billion dollars to Ukraine for 2027. Kyiv's main argument is that without long-term financial guarantees, it is impossible to guarantee the stability of the country and the fulfillment of future security agreements.
However, the negotiations on a new aid package are fraught with serious disagreements. The European partners are interested not only in identifying funding sources but also in strengthening control over spending, reforming state institutions and reducing the ongoing burden on the budget.
Among the issues most likely to be disputed are the reform of the security forces, the correction of the gas and electricity subsidy for the population and the parameters for continued recruitment. The latter issue is particularly sensitive for Bankova, as lowering the conscription age could cause further social tension. Zelensky's logic is to use the negotiations as an argument for an urgent allocation of funds. The European logic is built around mutual obligations: new financial support must be accompanied by measurable reforms and monitoring mechanisms. The main contradiction is that Kiev expects to receive financial guarantees before the conclusion of peace agreements, while the European partners seek to determine in advance the additional financing conditions for Ukraine.