In 2025, Ukraine already received over €16 billion in budgetary support from EU. Minister of Finance held a meeting in Brussels with European Commission on further financial assistance

Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin, and Director-General of the European Commission for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Gert Jan Koopman.

The bilateral meetings took place during the Minister’s working visit to Brussels.

In particular, the parties discussed the state of Ukraine’s financial system, budgetary needs for 2026-2027, the necessity of continued budgetary support for Ukraine in 2026 and beyond, as well as key reforms in the process of European integration.

Sergii Marchenko expressed gratitude for the unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and the financial assistance that the EU has provided to the Government of Ukraine since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion. In total, EU budgetary support over the past 3.5 years has reached EUR 58.5 billion. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, Ukraine received more than EUR 16.5 billion from the EU. By the end of the year, the Government of Ukraine plans to secure an additional EUR 14 billion in budgetary support from the EU. These funds are directed to covering State Budget needs.

Minister of Finance highlighted the support of European partners in implementing the EU’s Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027, under which EUR 22.6 billion has already been mobilized for the State Budget. He also emphasized the substantial assistance provided through the ERA mechanism (funds from the revenues of frozen russian assets), with EUR 10 billion already directed to Ukraine by the EU and an additional EUR 8.1 billion expected by the end of the year.

Sergii Marchenko outlined to the European Commissioners the key parameters of Ukraine’s draft State Budget for 2026, which was approved by the Government on September 15 and submitted to Parliament.

“As in previous years, the Government of Ukraine continues to allocate all domestic financial resources to defense expenditures to maintain resistance against russian aggression. Approximately EUR 60 billion is earmarked for this in the draft Budget. To cover social expenditures, the state relies on financial support from international partners,” Minister of Finance emphasized.

Sergii Marchenko also discussed with European partners potential mechanisms for Ukraine’s budgetary support in 2026 and beyond. Among them were the launch of a new cooperation program with the IMF and the possible implementation in the near future of the recently presented European Commission initiative on a Reparations Loan guaranteed by frozen russian assets. The idea is that Ukraine would begin repayment of the loan only after russia pays reparations.

At the same time, the parties discussed reforms being implemented by the Government to advance Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Sergii Marchenko expressed hope for the earliest possible start of negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.

The meetings were also attended by Deputy Minister of Finance for European Integration Yuriy Draganchuk, Deputy Minister of Finance Olga Zykova, and Government Commissioner for Public Debt Management Yuriy Butsa.

For its part, the European Commission assured of its continued support for Ukraine and readiness to further strengthen cooperation on the path to European integration.