EU countries approve UK participation to help cover Ukraine’s urgent defence

EU countries approved the United Kingdom’s participation in the Ukraine support loan – the EU’s €90 billion framework to help cover Ukraine’s most urgent needs in 2026 and 2027 as it continues to fight Russia’s war of aggression.

EU solidarity with Ukraine is a key priority of the Irish Presidency. Today’s approval reflects the EU and the UK’s shared commitment to support Ukraine as long as it takes to bring Russia's illegal war of aggression to an end and secure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. The UK’s participation in the Ukraine support loan will allow Ukraine to also procure from UK defence manufacturers ensuring Ukraine has the capabilities needed to protect its citizens.

Helen McEntee, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland

The measure means that Ukraine will be able to use loan financing to procure crucial defence products made by UK-based industries, in addition to the existing framework for EU and EEA-EFTA countries and other approved third countries.

Overall, the loan makes €60 billion available for Ukraine to invest in defence industrial capacities, including procurement of defence products. €30 billion is being made available to Ukraine as direct economic and budgetary support.

Ukraine will therefore be able to procure from a larger pool of defence manufacturers, ensuring they have the capabilities needed to withstand Russian aggression. The approval follows the contribution agreement signed between the EU and the UK on 13 July.

UK participation in the loan is possible because the country fulfils the three conditions for third-country participation laid down in the Ukraine support loan regulation. The UK has committed to provide a fair and proportionate financial contribution to the costs arising from borrowing, has entered into a security and defence partnership with the Union, and is already providing significant financial and military support to Ukraine.

Next steps

The Council will formally adopt the UK’s participation in the coming days by written procedure. The decision will enter into force on the same day as its publication in the EU’s official journal.

Background

The Ukraine support loan is providing Ukraine with the predictable financial support it needs, both for budget support and defence spending, over the next two years. €8.1 billion has already been disbursed under the framework, made up of €3.2 billion in budgetary assistance and nearly €4.9 billion for defence. In 2026, the Commission is expected to disburse an overall €28.3 billion of the €60 billion defence package in support of Ukraine's defence industrial capacity.