European Union approves over $105 billion toward Ukraine aid package for next two years
Demonstrators holding Ukrainian and European Union flags on the Boulevard du Temple in Paris, France, on February 23, 2025.
Amaury Cornu | Afp | Getty Images
European Union countries will allocate 90 billion euros ($105.5 billion) in aid to Ukraine for 2026 and 2027, EU Council President Antonio Costa said on Friday.
Costa confirmed that the package had been approved by writing to X, “We have a deal.”
EU governments It is discussed whether frozen Russian assets worth 210 billion euros will be used or notMost of them were held in Belgium to support the so-called reparations loan to Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on EU leaders and partners to step up their support and encourage their partners. Deciding to use frozen Russian assets To help Ukraine, he said continued support was vital to keep the country resilient and deter Russia from resuming war next year.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever He said his country needed concrete guarantees before supporting the use of Russian assets to finance a loan to Kiev, citing legal uncertainties and possible litigation risks, Reuters reported.
EU leaders ultimately chose not to touch Russian assets Financing Ukraine’s support package. Instead the bloc agreed to raise money through joint borrowing backed by the EU budget.
“Ukraine will repay this loan only if Russia pays compensation,” Costa said he said in a statement. “The only way forward is a ceasefire and a negotiated peace. Our political and financial support for Ukraine will not diminish.”
Under Ukraine Facility and related programsThe EU has already provided various tranches of financial assistance, including around 6 billion euros in bridge financing or short-term loans or advances, to help Kiev meet its urgent budget needs. Ukraine also took it 18.1 billion euros This year in loans under the program led by the Group of Seven, or G7.
The deal provides a financial boost to Ukraine and underscores Europe’s push to shape US-led peace talks to end Russia’s conflict with Kiev.
The European Union’s support for Kiev has increased since 2022, when Russia’s war against Ukraine began. reportedly It exceeded 187 billion euros.
In late November, US and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva. Working on a refined peace framework It aims to narrow disagreements over a proposed US plan to end the conflict.
According to Reuters, the plan included territorial and security-related provisions that reflected some of Russia’s positions, including freezing existing frontline control and recognizing changes to control over occupied areas, as well as measures affecting Ukraine’s military and NATO objectives that Kiev found difficult to accept.
