The EU will allocate €6 billion to Ukraine for drones as part of the first tranche of a €90 billion loan package, says von der Leyen
The European Union will disburse the first defense tranche of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine as early as the first quarter of 2026. The tranche will amount to approximately €6 billion and will be allocated to the development of Ukrainian drones.
This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
According to her, the EU is fulfilling its previously announced commitment to provide financial support to Ukraine.
“In the spring, we said we would provide a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, one way or another. Now we have fulfilled that promise. We will disburse the first tranche of €45 billion for 2026, still this quarter,” von der Leyen noted.
The European Commission President clarified that one-third of the loan will be directed toward Ukraine’s budgetary needs, and two-thirds toward defense spending.
The first defense package, she said, will be entirely focused on the development of unmanned technologies.
“The first defense package will involve drones from Ukraine for Ukraine, worth about 6 billion euros,” she emphasized.
Von der Leyen stressed that the European Union will continue to support Ukraine, especially amid escalating Russian aggression.
“While Russia is doubling down on its aggression, Europe is doubling down on our support for Ukraine,” she stated.
Currently, the European Union is considering the possibility of imposing stricter conditions for granting Ukraine a €90 billion loan. Part of the disbursements may be tied to implementing unpopular changes in the tax system.
Earlier, the Ministry of Finance released a schedule for the disbursement of financial aid from the European Union to Ukraine as part of a €90 billion package for 2026–2027. The first funds are expected as early as May–June of this year.
The Ukrainian government has submitted to the European Commission a package of documents required to receive €2.7 billion under the Ukraine Facility mechanism. This funding is available to Ukraine upon the implementation and completion of a series of reforms stipulated in agreements with the EU.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine plans to use the €90 billion loan from the European Union for the needs of the military, specifically for the development of domestic defense production, as well as for preparations for the winter season.
