On 1 April 2026, 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 defence procurement for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027.
Commission proposes to mobilize €45bn in support for Ukraine in 2026
Following the Commission’s positive assessment of the Ukrainian Financing Strategy submitted by Ukraine on 24 March 2026, the proposal for a Council implementing decision adopted today sets out the provision of €45bn to Ukraine by 31 December 2026. The remaining part of the €90bn 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 defence procurement and budget support: budget support will reach up to €16.7bn, split equally between the Ukraine Facility and Macro-Financial Assistance, while support to Ukraine’s defence industrial capacities will amount to €28.3bn. 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.
Commission allows for the use of derogations for the procurement of drones
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. The 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 defence procurements under the instrument and will be followed by additional product schedules on other defence products, including missiles and ammunition, in the coming months.
Next steps
The Commission’s proposal for a Council Implementing Decision for approving assistance to Ukraine for 2026 will now be submitted to the Council for adoption. Based on this proposal, member states will decide on the allocation of support under the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026, including through the Ukraine Facility, Macro-Financial Assistance and defence procurement.
Once the Council has adopted the legal basis authorizng the Commission to start borrowing on the markets, the remaining legal and operational arrangements required to enable the first disbursements and launch procurements will be finalized by the Commission, Ukraine and member states.
As with other EU financial support to Ukraine, the instrument will be accompanied by strong safeguards and conditionality, including on the rule of law, anti-corruption and the protection of the Union’s financial interests.
Background
Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its member states have provided €195n in overall support to Ukraine, including €3.7bn from the proceeds of immobilised 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.
For more information
- Ukraine Support Loan – webpage
- Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision approving assistance to Ukraine in implementing the Ukrainian Financing Strategy
- Commission Implementing Decision validating the use of derogations for drones in Ukraine
- Commission presents a financial support package for Ukraine for 2026–2027
- Regulation (EU) 2026/467 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027
- Regulation (EU) 2026/468 amending Regulation (EU) 2024/792 establishing the Ukraine Facility
