Billions in European support could depend on whether Kyiv delivers changes that have remained central to its partnership with Brussels.
Ukraine could receive up to €20 billion in budget support in 2026 if it implements the reforms agreed with the European Commission. The changes primarily concern the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
Ursula von der Leyen wrote about this on X.
European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said that Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos had sent letters to the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
If these reforms are implemented and adopted in 2026, they could unlock €20 billion in budget support. The reform agenda has been agreed with the Ukrainian authorities and ratified by the Verkhovna Rada, so it is important that its implementation continues to move forward.
– Guillaume Mercier, European Commission spokesperson
The European Commission also said it was working to strengthen defence assistance to Ukraine. Spokesperson Arianna Podesta noted that the European Union was urging Kyiv to adopt the necessary reforms. This, she said, would make it possible to disburse the €37 billion allocated as part of support for Ukraine.
European Commission declines to clarify its position on an advance loan payment
European Commission representatives did not say whether the presidents of Ukraine and the European Commission had discussed a possible advance payment of half of the €90 billion loan planned for Ukraine next year.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy estimated Ukraine’s budget deficit at $23 billion and described early financing as one possible way to cover it.
On September 22, during the UN General Assembly, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ursula von der Leyen. The talks focused on the risk of intensified Russian attacks in winter, the shortage of air-defence missiles, and the European Union’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
After the meeting, Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine’s budget support would increase as the pace of reforms in the Verkhovna Rada accelerated.
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, also stressed the need to continue the reforms during talks with Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko.
Thus, the amount of financial assistance Ukraine receives in 2026 is directly linked to the implementation of the agreed reforms, particularly in the areas of the rule of law and combating corruption.