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Latvia’s prime minister proposes that Europeans give up one beer a year to finance Ukraine’s defense

Cristina Petrache

15 October 2026, 12:02

International

Foto Michael Kappeler / DPA / Profimedia

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Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs proposed on Thursday that every European consume one less beer per year, with the money saved directed toward supporting Ukraine’s defense in its war with Russia. He made the statement in Brussels at the start of the European Council’s autumn summit.

“One less beer a year for every European. That beer simply represents a cost. What is at stake there are human lives,” Kulbergs said, as quoted by EFE and Agerpres. The Latvian prime minister argued that member states must continue supporting Kyiv ahead of a difficult winter and amid an intensification of the fighting.

Kulbergs also called on the European Union to demonstrate its strength and become less dependent on support from other international actors. He said that Russia is making no significant progress on the front and is suffering heavy losses.

The proposal was made ahead of Friday’s discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was invited to the summit to speak about the course of the war. European leaders are also due to discuss the future of the EU’s multiannual budget.

According to The Brewers of Europe, 29.128 billion liters of beer were consumed in the European Union in 2025. Among approximately 370 million adults, average consumption was nearly 79 liters per year, equivalent to around 239 330-milliliter beers.

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Context: Latvia requests additional defense funding, while the EU unblocks aid for Ukraine and discusses budgets

Latvia has requested additional funds from the European Union to cope with the consequences of the war in Ukraine, amid a significant increase in Riga's defense spending following Russia's invasion. The request also comes against the backdrop of an internal debate, with national elections scheduled, while the prime minister argued that the country deserves special consideration for its contribution to the security of other states.

Meanwhile, at the European level, the EU has agreed to unblock military aid for Ukraine, as Kyiv faces a funding shortfall in its defense budget. The funds are linked to European support mechanisms and the partial reimbursement of the weapons and ammunition supplied, while discussions on covering the shortfall have been placed on the agenda of the European Commission and international financial institutions.

At the same time, Ukraine has asked European leaders for additional financial support and presented its budgetary defense needs, including requests for the advance payment of certain installments. In this context, European discussions also include the future multiannual budget, while leaders are expected to address the course of the war and ways to maintain support for Kyiv.