policy_strategy
EU approves billion-euro loan to Ukraine
The EU Council has formally approved a support loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine, where 30 billion will cover the state's current expenditure and 60 billion will strengthen the country's defence capacity. Disbursements are expected to begin during the second quarter of 2026, after prolonged blockages from Hungary and Slovakia have finally been overcome.
The EU Council has now formally approved the 90 billion euro support loan to Ukraine. The decision means the European Commission can begin disbursements during the second quarter of 2026.
– Disbursements will begin as soon as possible and provide crucial support for Ukraine's most urgent budgetary needs. The EU remains firm in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Cyprus's Finance Minister Makis Keravnos in a press release. Cyprus holds the presidency of the EU Council in 2026.
The loan, agreed in December 2025, is intended to finance Ukraine's urgent budgetary needs and strengthen the country's defence industry during 2026 to 2027. The approval enables the Commission to begin disbursements as soon as possible during the second quarter of 2026.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the decision on X:
– This package will strengthen our army, make Ukraine more resilient, and enable us to fulfil our social commitments to Ukrainians, in accordance with the law. It is important that Ukraine secures this level of financial predictability after more than four years of full-scale war, he wrote.
The press release states that approximately 30 billion euro of the total amount is planned for macroeconomic support, for example to cover the state's ongoing expenditures. The remaining 60 billion euro is intended to strengthen Ukraine's defence capacity, including through investments and procurement of defence materiel from Ukraine, the EU, and other partner countries.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also commented on the announcement.
– It is important and very welcome that the EU loan to Ukraine of 90 billion euro, which we agreed in December, and the 20th sanctions package have now finally been brought to a conclusion after prolonged obstruction from Hungary and Slovakia, he wrote on X.
The decision was adopted with the support of all 24 member states present.
FAQ
- Hur ska EU:s stödlån på 90 miljarder euro till Ukraina fördelas?
- Av de totala 90 miljarderna euro planeras cirka 30 miljarder gå till makroekonomiskt stöd för att täcka statens löpande utgifter. Resterande 60 miljarder ska stärka Ukrainas försvarskapacitet genom investeringar och upphandling av försvarsmateriel från Ukraina, EU och andra partnerländer. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-04-23.
- När kan Europeiska kommissionen påbörja utbetalningarna av EU-lånet till Ukraina?
- Europeiska kommissionen kan påbörja utbetalningarna så snart som möjligt under andra kvartalet 2026. Lånet beslutades ursprungligen i december 2025 och syftar till att finansiera Ukrainas akuta budgetbehov samt stärka landets försvarsindustri under perioden 2026–2027. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-04-23.
- Varför dröjde det formella godkännandet av EU:s stödlån till Ukraina?
- Enligt Sveriges statsminister Ulf Kristersson försenades beslutet av långvariga blockeringar från Ungern och Slovakien. Det formella godkännandet antogs slutligen med stöd av samtliga 24 deltagande medlemsstater i EU-rådet, där Cypern innehar ordförandeskapet under 2026. Senast faktagranskad: 2026-04-23.