EU ambassadors agree on €90 billion in aid to Ukraine for 2026–2027
On 4 February, ambassadors from European Union member states agreed in Brussels to provide Ukraine with €90 billion in financial and military aid. This was reported by the press service of the Council of the EU and the representation of Cyprus, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, according to DW.
The aid will take the form of an open-ended, interest-free loan for 2026-2027. Of the total amount, €30 billion will be allocated to macroeconomic support for Ukraine through the macro-financial assistance mechanism or the Ukraine Facility. Another €60 billion is earmarked for investments in Ukraine's defence industry and the purchase of weapons.
As noted by the EU Council, defence products should be purchased primarily from companies located in the European Union, Ukraine or countries of the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association. At the same time, in case of urgent need for weapons that are not available in these countries, targeted exceptions are provided for. Third countries that have relevant security and defence agreements with the EU or participate in the SAFE financial instrument may also join certain defence projects.
The Council of the EU plans to reach agreement with the European Parliament on the final legal texts as soon as possible. Once the procedures are complete, the European Commission will be able to make the first payment to Ukraine at the beginning of the second quarter of 2026. Interest costs on the loan will be covered by the EU budget and will not affect the contributions of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, which are not participating in this programme.
The financing will be linked to compliance with the rule of law and the fulfilment of anti-corruption commitments. Ukraine's financial needs will be determined in a strategy prepared by Kyiv and approved by the EU Council after assessment by the European Commission. Repayment of the loan is only envisaged after Russia has paid reparations to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the EU Council for its decision. He stressed that the €90 billion loan is a financial guarantee of Ukraine's security, strengthens the state against the backdrop of Russian attacks on the energy sector, and strengthens Kyiv's position at the negotiating table. According to him, it is also a significant contribution to the security of the whole of Europe.
