Kyiv [Ukraine], December 19 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday welcomed the European Union’s decision to provide €90 billion in financial aid to Ukraine for 2026–27, describing it as “significant support” to strengthen the country’s resilience amid the ongoing war with Russia.
“Thank you to all the leaders of the European Union for the European Council’s decision regarding financial support for Ukraine in the amount of 90 billion euros in 2026–2027. This is significant support that truly strengthens our resilience,” Zelenskyy said. He emphasized the importance of keeping Russian assets immobilized and noted that Ukraine had received financial security guarantees for the coming years. “Together we are protecting the future of our continent,” he added.
European Council President Antonio Costa announced the decision after hours of talks in Brussels. “We have a deal. The decision to provide 90 billion euros of support to Ukraine for 2026–27 was approved. We committed, we delivered,” Costa wrote on X. The aid package will be provided as an interest-free loan, financed through EU borrowing on capital markets.
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the move sent a strong signal to Moscow. “This war will not be worth it. We will keep Russian assets frozen until Russia has compensated Ukraine,” he stated. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that the agreement was reached after focused discussions among EU leaders to address Ukraine’s pressing financing needs.
The decision followed Zelenskyy’s meeting with European leaders in Brussels, during which he appealed for the EU to consider using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s war effort and economy. While the EU asked the European Commission to explore a reparations loan using frozen Russian assets, the plan remains on hold, primarily due to opposition from Belgium over legal risks. EU officials confirmed that €210 billion of Russian assets in Europe will remain frozen until Russia pays war reparations, and if Russia does pay, Ukraine could use those funds to repay the EU loan.
Zelenskyy also discussed with European leaders coordination between Europe and the United States, Ukraine’s future EU membership, support for the energy system, and reconstruction efforts. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized European leaders as “subordinate little pigs,” accusing them of following the Biden administration’s approach toward Russia.
Zelenskyy noted that talks with the United States on a potential settlement remain unresolved, including issues related to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and Russia’s demand that Ukraine withdraw from territory it controls in the Donbas region.
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