EU and Ukraine identify means to cover budget and defence needs in 2026

The European Commission and Ukraine have said they have identified ways to cover Ukraine's budget and defence needs for 2026, as well as the steps required to ensure the timely provision of the relevant funding.

The EU and Ukraine say in a joint statement that they have found ways to secure funding for Ukraine's budget and defence in 2026.

"Today through coordinated joint efforts, we have identified the means to cover Ukraine's budget and defence needs for 2026. We have also reconfirmed the steps needed to ensure their timely release," the statement reads.

The EU and Ukraine also "agreed to move forward swiftly" with the provision of €45 billion under the Ukraine Support Loan for 2027, "subject to the established conditions".

"We will also begin work on identifying additional budgetary and defence needs," the statement says.

"All sides agreed that other partners should also fulfil their financial commitments and step up their efforts in light of the significant challenges Ukraine is facing," it stresses.

The parties also agreed to meet monthly to coordinate their joint efforts.

On 29 September in Brussels, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that the EU was fulfilling its share of the commitments and indicated that it expected Kyiv to do the same. In particular, she called on the Ukrainian authorities to unite for a "reform drive" in exchange for funding.

Earlier, during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that because of the war, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) was unable to operate as normal and swiftly adopt all the necessary legislation.

The European Commission has previously stressed that Ukraine must continue carrying out and implementing the relevant reforms in order to receive further financial disbursements from the European Union.