Overview
- The Council of the EU adopted the final law on Thursday, allowing the European Commission to start payouts in the second quarter with Kyiv expecting a first transfer by late May or early June.
- Ukrainian officials say roughly half the package will back weapons co‑production and procurement, including drones, while the rest will cover budget needs such as salaries, social spending, and protections for the power grid.
- Ukraine approved a two‑year spending plan with partner oversight, and the EU will raise the money on capital markets using EU guarantees before releasing it in tranches through 2026–2027.
- Presidential aide Ihor Zhovkva said the earlier hold‑up was artificial and driven by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, adding that recent diplomacy helped remove the veto.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the EU loan adds to support already in place and urged countries not to cut their own aid, while an NBU official noted the funds can buy weapons but cannot pay troops or directly fund the defense industry.