“Ukraine’s ingenuity is the basis of its success in the fight against the Russian invasion. And it is this ingenuity that we want to support,” said Leyenová in the EC statement. “Today we are releasing the first part intended for advanced drone technology with the aim of strengthening the defense of Ukraine,” she added.
The payment follows the transfer of more than 77 billion CZK as part of comprehensive financial support to Ukraine, which the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced last week.
In total, the member states will lend Kyiv 90 billion euros (2.2 trillion CZK), which the Commission will pay gradually during the years 2026 and 2027. Further payments will be made in the coming days.
The loan to Ukraine was approved by the presidents and prime ministers of EU member states this year after they failed to agree on financing in December 2025 that would use frozen Russian assets. All states were originally supposed to guarantee the loan, but the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary refused to provide a guarantee.
The EU loan will help Ukraine, which has been facing a Russian invasion for over four years, to cover defense and military expenses, as well as the state budget, so that the country can advance in reforms and modernization.
