EU releases €3 billion loan for Ukraine’s recovery

Lead

The European Union has disbursed the first tranche of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, speaking at a conference on Ukraine's post-war recovery in Poland. The announcement underscores the bloc's long-term financial commitment to the country, which has been under pressure since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Coverage comparison

Reports on the exact size of the first tranche differ. The South China Morning Post reports that the EU disbursed a €3 billion tranche of the €90 billion loan, citing the prime minister's remarks at the recovery conference in Poland. In contrast, TASS, the Russian state news agency, reports that Ukraine received €3.8 billion from the EU, citing Svyrydenko's announcement on her Telegram channel. The discrepancy may reflect different components of the disbursement or timing of the announcements.

Both reports agree on the broader context: the EU has committed substantial support to Ukraine. The South China Morning Post notes that EU countries have provided €200 billion in economic, financial, and military support since the invasion began, and approved an additional €90 billion loan over the next two years.

TASS, meanwhile, reports that the €3.8 billion is the first tranche of defense support under a new financial instrument called the Ukraine Support Loan. The same report notes that on June 25, €3.2 billion was allocated for budget support under the same loan, bringing the total received by Ukraine under this program to €7 billion.

Key claims

• The EU has disbursed a first tranche of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. The South China Morning Post reports the amount as €3 billion; TASS reports it as €3.8 billion.
• The funds received are intended for defense needs, including drone production, enhancing the defense industry, and ensuring urgent supplies for the front, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, as reported by TASS.
• EU countries have provided €200 billion in economic, financial, and military support to Ukraine since the invasion, as stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to the South China Morning Post.
• The EU will begin paying another €6 billion, a second tranche of the loan dedicated to drone production, "in the coming days," von der Leyen said, as reported by the South China Morning Post. TASS separately reports that the European Commission had earmarked €3.9 billion for drone purchases and pledged a first installment of €5.9 billion by end of June.
• Ukraine officially started EU membership negotiations on June 15, according to the South China Morning Post.
• Ukraine's military spending in 2025 exceeded 40% of GDP and 70% of the state budget, according to Svyrydenko, as reported by TASS.