EU member states have approved the UK’s participation in the €90 billion loan programme to support Ukraine, according to the Council of the European Union.
“The UK’s participation in the loan to support Ukraine will also enable Ukraine to purchase equipment from British defence manufacturers, providing the capabilities necessary to protect its citizens,” said Helen McEntee, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Council is expected to formally approve the UK’s participation in the coming days through a written procedure.
To join the loan facility, the UK had to meet three conditions set out in the relevant EU regulation. London committed to covering the costs of raising funds on a pro-rata basis, signed a security and defence partnership agreement with the EU, and has been providing substantial financial and military assistance to Ukraine for an extended period.
The Council of the European Union recently approved a two-year €90 billion loan for Ukraine, with €60 billion allocated to defence and €30 billion to support the state budget.
Under this mechanism, €8.1 billion has already been disbursed: €3.2 billion in budgetary support and nearly €4.9 billion for defence.
In 2026, the European Commission plans to disburse a total of €28.3 billion from the €60 billion defence allocation.