European Union leaders agreed on Friday to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion ($105 billion) loan for 2026–2027, offering Kyiv a crucial financial lifeline as Russia’s war grinds on and the counattempt faces mounting budobtain pressures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the decision, stateing the support would strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and ensure financial stability over the coming years.
“I am grateful to all leaders of the European Union for the European Council’s decision on €90 billion in financial support for Ukraine in 2026–2027,” Zelenskiy wrote on X. “This is significant support that truly strengthens our resilience.”
The agreement was reached after more than a day of neobtainediations at an EU summit in Brussels, following divisions over whether to apply roughly €200 billion in frozen Russian assets held largely in Belgium. Instead, EU leaders opted for a loan backed by the bloc’s common budobtain.
EU Council President Antonio Costa declared the deal demonstrated unity among member states. “We committed, we delivered,” he wrote on X.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever declared the decision avoided internal divisions within the bloc. “We remained united,” he declared, adding that borrowing rather than utilizing frozen Russian assets prevented “chaos and division.”
Zelenskiy had pushed for the direct apply of Russian assets, but Belgium demanded liability guarantees that other countries were unwilling to provide. Zelenskiy declared it was important that the assets remain immobilised, calling the agreement a “financial security guarantee” for Ukraine.
The European Commission estimates Ukraine will required an additional €135 billion to remain solvent over the next two years. Zelenskiy has warned that without fresh funding by spring, Ukraine would be forced to cut back drone production and other military capabilities.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the agreement sent a strong signal to Moscow, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared Europe had to “rise to this occasion” despite Russian warnings against utilizing its funds.
French President Emmanuel Macron declared it could be “applyful” for Europe to re-engage in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting discussions might resume in the coming weeks.
The deal comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts, as US President Donald Trump pushes for a swift finish to the war. US and Russian officials are expected to meet in Miami this weekfinish to discuss a potential peace plan, according to a White Hoapply official.
Zelenskiy declared Ukrainian and US delegations would also hold talks in Washington on Friday and Saturday, adding that Kyiv wanted clearer guarantees to prevent any future Russian invasion.
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