A delay in the EU loan could derail Ukraine's preparations for winter

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that due to the blocking of a €90 billion loan from the European Union, Ukraine risks failing to implement its energy security plan in time for the next heating season. 

The head of state made this statement on March 30, 2026, during a joint press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov in Kyiv, according to Ukrinform. According to the president, the first tranche of €45 billion was supposed to arrive this year to finance the physical protection of critical infrastructure facilities and air defense systems.

The lack of funding is hindering the start of the active phase of work under regional resilience plans, which were scheduled to begin on April 1. Zelenskyy emphasized that the delay in funds directly affects the timeline for completing the comprehensive plan to protect energy and water supplies. He called on European leaders to demonstrate unity and unblock the aid, stressing that the collective will of European partners must be stronger than the positions of individual figures. Currently, the Ukrainian government is exploring alternative options for securing funding to minimize risks ahead of the winter season.

The Czech government has expressed its full support for Ukraine and is seeking to unblock the €90 billion EU loan as soon as possible, though it is not providing a financial guarantee for it.

Von der Leyen assured that Ukraine will receive the loan from the EU.

Hungaryis blocking the EU loan: the Orbán factor and new risks for Ukraine.