This afternoon, 23 April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a European support package for Ukraine worth €90 billion has been unblocked.
“Today is an important day for our defence and for our relations with the European Union. A European support package for Ukraine has been unblocked — €90 billion over two years. This European package will strengthen our army, provide Ukraine with greater resilience, and allow us to meet our social obligations to Ukrainians as defined by law. It is important that Ukraine is securing this kind of financial confidence already for more than four years of the full-scale war,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He added that work is underway to ensure that the first tranche from this support package is already available in May–June. Funds from the European package will be directed, among other things, to weapons production, the purchase from partners of necessary weapons that are not yet produced in Ukraine, as well as preparations for the next winter for the energy sector and critical infrastructure.
“We will discuss with partners during meetings in Cyprus further sanctions pressure on Russia for this war: the 20th package has been unblocked and must be followed by other sanctions steps. We will also continue working with partners on a new format of cooperation — Drone Deals, which has proven effective in the Middle East and the Gulf. We believe that only joint efforts provide truly significant strength, and Europe deserves to have exactly that kind of strength,” the president wrote.
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the EU’s decision.
“We are heading to Cyprus with good news. I welcome the agreement by the member states on a €90 billion loan to Ukraine for 2026–2027, as well as on the 20th sanctions package. As Russia intensifies its aggression, we are strengthening support for the courageous Ukrainian people — helping Ukraine defend itself and putting pressure on Russia’s war economy. We will now move quickly to implement these decisions on both tracks,” the head of the European Commission wrote.
At the same time, European Council President António Costa said that Europe remains firm, united, and unwavering in its support for Ukraine.
“Promised — delivered — implemented. The EU’s strategy to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is based on two pillars: strengthening Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia,” Costa wrote.
He noted that progress was made today on both fronts:
- A €90 billion loan for Ukraine was unblocked, ensuring financial and military support for 2026–2027.
- The 20th sanctions package against Russia was adopted, limiting its ability to wage war.