The European Union has formally approved a €90bn ($97bn) financial support package for Ukraine, alongside a new round of sanctions targeting Russia, as the bloc steps up long-term backing for Kyiv.
EU officials confirmed the decision on April 23, 2026, following weeks of negotiations among member states. The loan will be financed using proceeds from frozen Russian state assets held within the EU, marking one of the largest coordinated financial measures since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
In parallel, the EU adopted additional sanctions aimed at Russia’s energy, banking, and defence sectors. The measures also target individuals and entities accused of supporting Moscow’s war effort, expanding existing restrictions designed to limit Russia’s ability to fund military operations.
European leaders said the package is intended to provide Ukraine with stable, long-term funding while increasing economic pressure on Russia. Ukrainian officials welcomed the move, describing it as critical support amid continued fighting and infrastructure damage across the country.
The move has also drawn criticism, with some arguing that using profits from frozen Russian assets effectively directs Russian funds against Moscow, while EU officials maintain the mechanism is legally justified.
