The EU Council approves €2.8 billion in aid for Ukraine

Brussels – Ukraine will receive almost €2.8 billion after the Council of the European Union today (28 May) approved the seventh regular disbursement of aid under the Ukraine Facility. The decision was taken after Kyiv fulfilled eleven of the twenty measures required for the disbursement of the seventh tranche, as well as completing certain previously outstanding milestones: one from the fifth tranche and two from the sixth. Furthermore, as Kyiv has already fulfilled certain commitments set out in the subsequent stages of the Ukraine Facility, it will receive an advance payment for the first time, in accordance with the new methodology adopted by the Commission for disbursing aid. 

The last tranche was allocated last December and amounted to approximately €2.3 billion, while since the facility for Ukraine came into force, approximately €6 billion has been allocated in the form of bridge financing—a short-term loan designed to cover a temporary liquidity need; €1.89 billion in pre-financing and six instalments (of €4.2, €4.1, €3.5, €3.2, €1.8 and €2.3 billion respectively). Following the Commission’s assessment of Ukraine’s payment request of 14 April 2026, the Council concluded that the country “has satisfactorily implemented a series of reforms set out in the Ukraine Facility. These reforms concern public finance management, the judicial system, the fight against corruption and money laundering, financial markets, public asset management, human capital, and the business environment.” Ukraine has also implemented various measures in the sectors of energy, transport, the agri-food industry, the management of critical raw materials, digital transformation, the green transition and environmental protection. 

The Ukraine Facility is an EU initiative providing Kyiv with up to €50 billion, disbursed through loans (€33 billion) and grants (€17 billion). Of this amount, over €38 billion is earmarked, on an indicative basis, to support the reforms and investments set out in the Plan for Ukraine, a programme promoted by the Ukrainian government that outlines the country’s strategy for recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation for the period from 2024 to 2027. Added to this is a timetable for implementing reforms in line with the objectives of accession to the European Union. This means that the EU makes payments to Ukraine on condition that the reforms and investments agreed upon within the framework of the qualitative and quantitative milestones set out in the Council Decision of 14 May 2024, as well as respect for effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.