A European Union decision next month to launch membership talks with Ukraine is "at risk" and there is no agreement in the bloc to grant Kyiv a further 50 billion euros ($54 bln) in aid, Reuters reports.
From regular reassurances that the EU would stand by Ukraine "as long as it takes", the official said latest discussions in the bloc over further support to Kyiv were a "reality check".
"Leaders... were realizing it's quite expensive," said the official, who is involved in preparing a Dec.14-15 summit in Brussels of the EU 27 member states' national leaders. "How do we pay for this?"
A proposal by the bloc's executive European Commission to revise the bloc's long-term budget to assign another 50 billion euros for Ukraine through 2027 was criticised from several sides, said the official.
"We cannot allow Ukraine to go bankrupt, it's not an option for us. But it's not easy," said the official.