On April 1, the European Commission took preparatory steps for the implementation of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, aimed at securing necessary budgetary support and accelerating urgent defense procurement for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, Report informs, referring to the commission.
“The package adopted today includes a proposal for the Council [European Council] to approve the overall amount of the EU’s support to Ukraine for 2026 and a decision validating the use of procurement derogations for the first defense product schedule under the Loan, which will focus on drones,” the commission said.
European Commission President von der Leyen said: “We will deliver on the €90 billion loan to Ukraine. Today, we are taking the necessary preparatory steps to mobilize this year’s budget and procure defense equipment, with a focus on Ukraine’s cutting-edge drone industry. With this, we send a clear message: the Commission stands ready to move forward. As we mark four years since the Bucha massacre, we remain fully and firmly behind the brave people of Ukraine and their fight for freedom.”
“Following the Commission’s positive assessment of the Ukrainian Financing Strategy submitted by Ukraine on March 24, 2026, the proposal for a Council implementing decision adopted today sets out the provision of €45 billion to Ukraine by December 31, 2026. The remaining part of the €90 billion Loan is foreseen for next year.
Following adoption of the available financial assistance by the Council, the Commission will proceed as soon as possible with the first disbursement to Ukraine. This comes in addition to contributions from international donors and takes into account Ukraine’s external financing gap and defence needs. This proposal also defines the split between defense procurement and budget support: budget support will reach up to €16.7 billion, split equally between the Ukraine Facility and Macro-Financial Assistance, while support to Ukraine’s defense industrial capacities will amount to €28.3 billion. The budgetary support will be underpinned with strong conditions related to the rule of law, fight against corruption, economic resilience and sustainability, with the first part set to be delivered through the Macro-Financial Assistance,” reads the statement.
As a country at war, Ukraine’s capacity to defend its territory depends on the rapid availability of critical products in the required quantities and within very short timeframes.
It was stated that the European Commission has therefore also adopted today a decision allowing Ukraine to use derogations for the procurement of drones. This will support the preparations for the first urgent defense procurements under the instrument and will be followed by additional product schedules on other defense products, including missiles and ammunition, in the coming months.
Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its Member States have provided €195 billion in overall support to Ukraine, including €3.7 billion from the proceeds of immobilized Russian assets – more than any other partners.
The Ukraine Support Loan covers two-thirds of Ukraine’s overall financing needs for 2026 and 2027, according to assessments by the International Monetary Fund. Continued and coordinated support from international partners, therefore, remains essential, including timely delivery on commitments by the G7 for 2026 and beyond, including under the G7-led ERA loans initiative.
