The European Union is preparing to disburse the first tranche of a large-scale loan totaling EUR 90 billion to Ukraine. The funds will arrive as early as the second quarter of 2026 and will be directed toward strengthening the defense industrial complex. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced this during her speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on April 29, according to European Pravda.
According to her, this initial aid package of approximately EUR 6 billion will have a clear focus: the development of domestic production of unmanned systems.
The head of the European Commission emphasized that this defense package will specifically concern “drones from Ukraine for Ukraine.” This decision demonstrates the EU’s strategic shift toward directly financing Ukrainian defense capabilities and supporting local manufacturers.
According to the overall plan for the EUR 90 billion loan program, funds will be allocated in a clear proportion. One-third of the amount will go toward covering the needs of the state budget, while two-thirds will be invested directly in the country’s defense. Ursula von der Leyen assured that the European Union will continue its unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and the Armed Forces, noting that for every escalation of russian aggression, Europe will respond by doubling its aid.
As a reminder, media outlets previously reported that Ukraine’s accession process to the European Union is entering a new phase, as the bloc’s leaders have reached a preliminary agreement to launch the first official negotiations in the coming weeks or months.
On April 24, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered Ukraine the opportunity to participate in meetings of the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament without the right to vote.
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