Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko has travelled to Brussels to secure international financial support to fund the national budget for 2027.
Marchenko said he plans to meet with the technical team of Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy, as well as Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement.
The European Commission serves as the executive branch of the European Union. Based in the Belgian capital, the institution is responsible for drafting legislation, enforcing European law and managing the administrative operations of the political and economic bloc. Commissioners are appointed to lead specific policy areas, acting similarly to government ministers.
Speaking to Radio Liberty on September 28, Marchenko said the Ukrainian delegation is always asking for money. He said finding sources to finance the 2027 budget is the key task of their trip, and that they need to understand the available options to close their funding gap.
Ukraine relies heavily on external financial assistance from international partners to maintain basic government services, pay public sector wages and support its national economy. The national budget requires continuous foreign aid to cover substantial shortfalls during the ongoing conflict.
Resolving internal issues
When asked whether he anticipated a tense conversation with European officials, Marchenko said the representatives have known each other for a long time. He stated that there are no unresolved issues between the two sides.
The finance minister said that while the delegation has the moral right to arrive from Kyiv and demand more assistance, there are also longstanding internal issues in Ukraine that have not been resolved.
Marchenko said these internal matters would be a subject of discussion, though he did not specify exactly which issues he was referring to.
European allies and international partners have consistently linked the provision of financial assistance for Kyiv to the successful implementation of domestic reforms. These structural changes are negotiated and agreed upon between the Ukrainian government and international donors to improve governance and transparency.
Earlier in September 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had discussed these required reforms during a telephone call with the Ukrainian president.
Pathway to European integration
Von der Leyen said the Verkhovna Rada must pass the necessary legislation to unlock further European funding. The Verkhovna Rada is the unicameral national parliament of Ukraine, responsible for drafting and passing all national laws.
She added that passing these reforms is also necessary to ensure Ukraine makes further progress on its path toward joining the European Union. Ukraine is currently a candidate country for European Union membership, a lengthy process that requires harmonising domestic laws with European standards.
Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, has also emphasised the importance of these reforms during previous negotiations with Marchenko.
The International Monetary Fund is a major global financial institution based in Washington. It provides loans and technical assistance to member countries experiencing economic instability, often requiring structural reforms in exchange for access to its funds.
Marchenko noted that his delegation might remain in Brussels for longer than initially planned. The minister said this extension would allow them to attend very important meetings that could be scheduled for later in the visit.
