EU reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine

Today the European Union is taking a series of steps to further bolster its support for Ukraine.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: “Our commitment to Ukraine is firm as ever. We work across the board to strengthen the country and support a just and lasting peace on Ukraine's terms. Today's disbursement and agreements are also an investment in a shared common future. We are backing Ukraine's impressive reform efforts and deepening our ties—from space, security and defence to building a thriving business environment. Ми з вами. We are with you.”

Additional €1 billion of support under G7 loan

The European Commission has disbursed an additional €1 billion tranche of its exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan to Ukraine, to be repaid with proceeds from immobilised Russian State assets in the EU, reinforcing the EU's role as the largest donor since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine. This payment brings the total MFA disbursements to Ukraine to €5 billion.

The EU's €18.1 billion Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) forms part of the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, which aims to provide around €45 billion in support to Ukraine. This funding addresses Ukraine's urgent budgetary needs, which have grown due to Russia's ongoing war of aggression. It will help Ukraine sustain military and reconstruction efforts, including the repair of critical infrastructure like energy, water, and transport systems.

The Commission stands ready to frontload the remaining MFA funds in line with the country's needs, as called for by the European leaders in the Special European Council in early March. 

EU receives €2.1 Billion in revenue from immobilised assets to be disbursed to Ukraine

This week the EU has requested EUR 2.1 billion in windfall profits generated from immobilised assets of the Russian Central Bank, held by the Central Securities Depositories (CSDs). This receipt of this amount will mark the second transfer of its kind, following a first tranche delivered in July 2024. It covers revenues accumulated during the second half of 2024. 

These funds come from assets of the Russian Central Bank which are immobilised under EU sanctions imposed in response to Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. While the assets themselves remain blocked, the extraordinary revenues they generate over time are used to support Ukraine.  The proceeds from this tranche will be channelled via the European Peace Facility, as agreed by the Council in 2024, and the Ukraine Facility to help strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities and contribute to the country's recovery and reconstruction. 

This measure is part of the EU's continued commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Subsequent tranches will be provided to Ukraine principally to enable it to ensure the repayment of the funds it receives from the G7-led Extraordinary ERA initiative, while a limited portion will continue to be channelled through the European Peace Facility.

Tenth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council

Today, the tenth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council is taking place in Brussels. It will discuss political matters and bilateral relations.

During a restricted session, the EU and Ukraine will exchange views on the situation following Russia's war of aggression, focusing on the military, economic and humanitarian situation on the ground and the response to Russia's war.

They will then touch on wider global and regional issues. The meeting will also be the opportunity to discuss more on topics on the bilateral agenda. These include the implementation of the Association Agreement, since the start of Russia's war of aggression; the issue of reconstruction and reforms in Ukraine; and the EU financial assistance.

The meeting will be chaired Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Delegation of the EU will be headed by Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Five new EU-Ukraine agreements were signed today

In the margins of the Association Council between Ukraine and the EU, five agreements were signed today.

These include three finance contracts worth €300 million between the European Investment Bank and Ukraine, supporting key operations that address Ukraine's most pressing recovery needs. The funding will empower local actors to swiftly rebuild essential infrastructure such as water systems and energy-efficient facilities, alleviating pressure on government administration while ensuring effective delivery. Backed by the European Union through the Ukraine Facility, these projects reflect our steadfast commitment to Ukraine's recovery and long-term resilience. They will deliver tangible benefits to people and businesses across the country at a time when they are most needed.

In addition, the Commission signed an agreement on Ukraine's participation in the Copernicus component, as well as in the Space Weather Events and Near-Earth Object sub-components of the EU Space Programme. This agreement will bring significant benefits to Ukraine—for example, access to the future Space Weather service, which will protect Ukrainian satellites from disruptions caused by space weather events. It also plays a crucial role in post-war damage assessment and reconstruction, as the EU Space Programme includes some of the most advanced space technologies.

Ukraine also signed the agreement on the procure medical countermeasures against serious cross-border health threats, which allows all signatories, including the EU and other candidate countries, to jointly procure medical countermeasures.  Ukraine will gain faster, more equitable, and often more affordable access to essential medicines and medical products, ensuring protection for their citizens and patients in times of health emergencies.

EU-Ukraine Business Summit

A major business summit co-hosted by the European Commission, the Ukrainian government, the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, and Italy, will also take place tomorrow and Friday. The EU-Ukraine Business Summit aims to support Ukraine's reconstruction and reform efforts, with over 700 stakeholders attending to discuss ways to strengthen the country's business climate and unlock investment.

On this occasion, European Commissioner Marta Kos and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will launch a new EU-Ukraine Business Partnership. This initiative seeks to deepen economic ties between the EU and Ukraine, accelerating the country's recovery and supporting its path to EU accession and integration into the EU Single Market.

During this event, the European Commission will also announce a new call for expressions of interest, encouraging EU companies to invest in Ukraine's reconstruction. The call will be open until October 10, 2025, and will include opportunities for joint ventures with Ukrainian partners. A press conference with Commissioner Marta Kos, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, and Minister for European Union of Poland Adam Szłapka will take place on 10 April from 10:20 to 10:50, broadcast live on EBS+. 

Quote(s)

Our commitment to Ukraine is firm as ever. We work across the board to strengthen the country and support a just and lasting peace on Ukraine’s terms. Today’s disbursement and agreements are also an investment in a shared common future. We are backing Ukraine’s impressive reform efforts and deepening our ties—from space, security and defence to building a thriving business environment. Ми з вами. We are with you.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

While the EU helps Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s aggression, we are supporting the country at every step on its accession path. From creating opportunities to connect the EU and Ukrainian business sectors, to bringing Ukraine into important EU programmes such as Copernicus, our relationship is only getting closer. Even in the midst of war, Ukraine has shown time and again its dedication to putting the work in. Today it is as clear as ever where Ukraine’s future lies.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission

The EU continues to provide the financial support Ukraine needs to continue its fight for survival in the face of Russia's brutal aggression. Today, we make the next €1 billion payment under the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans initiative. The EU has now provided Ukraine with €5 billion as part of its overall €18.1 billion contribution under this initiative. It also ensures that Russia pays for its aggression by using the proceeds of immobilised Russian state assets to repay the loans provided. Together with EIB Group, we also provided today a further €300 million to address Ukraine's urgent recovery and reconstruction needs.

Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification

I am delighted to sign today with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU, Mr. Vsevolod Chentsov, the EU-Ukraine Agreement on participation of Ukraine in the following components of the Union Space Programme: Copernicus, Space Weather Events and Near-Earth Objects. The implementation of this Agreement will benefit Ukrainians across different sectors, including agriculture, energy or urban planning, offering ultimately an important potential contributing to recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. It will foster further cooperation and synergies while building on Ukrainian solid expertise in space technology. We are opening a new chapter of our cooperation in space activities, for which I and my team are excited about and are looking forward to work closely together.

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space

The EU-Ukraine Business Summit marks another step in our united response to Russia's aggression and in reaffirming the European Union's resolute commitment to Ukraine's recovery, resilience, and European future. By launching the EU-Ukraine Business Partnership and convening key public and private stakeholders, we are mobilising strategic investment and laying the groundwork for Ukraine's integration into the EU Single Market. Today's signing of important EIB loans under the Ukraine Facility sends a clear signal: the EU is not only standing with Ukraine politically and militarily, but we are backing that support with real financial firepower. This is about more than reconstruction: it is about anchoring Ukraine firmly within the European family and accelerating its path to EU accession.

Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement