EU approves €90 billion Ukraine support package as Russia intensifies attacks

Europe-Asia, International

BRUSSELS, Belgium (NPA) — President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has congratulated the Ukrainian Parliament and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the swift ratification of key agreements tied to the European Union’s €90 billion support package for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen disclosed on Thursday that the approval of the documents clears the way for the first tranche of disbursements expected in June 2026.

“This hard work paves the way for the first disbursements in June,” she stated.

The European Commission president revealed that she held a telephone conversation with Zelenskyy on Wednesday, during which she reaffirmed Europe’s continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.

According to her, Europe remains committed to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities as Russian forces intensify aerial assaults and military operations across the country.

“Air defence and drone and counter-drone capabilities are among Europe’s most urgent defence priorities, and Ukraine will be fully integrated into these efforts,” von der Leyen said.

She noted that the Ukraine Support Loan would significantly contribute to Kyiv’s military and economic resilience, with €28.3 billion expected to be released this year alone to support Ukraine’s defence needs.

The EU chief also said discussions with Zelenskyy covered Ukraine’s path toward membership of the European Union, adding that the coming weeks would be critical in advancing the accession process.

Responding to the development, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to members of the Ukrainian Parliament for promptly ratifying the agreement with the European Union.

The Ukrainian president said the €90 billion package would strengthen the country’s resilience, support reconstruction efforts, and enhance its capacity to defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression.

“The funds will strengthen our resilience and help protect the lives of our people, rebuild what has been destroyed by Russian strikes, and defend our independence,” Zelenskyy stated.

“This was one of the most important votes — one that demonstrates the constructive nature of our joint work and our readiness to hear one another. Unity in Ukraine is what always works for Ukraine,” he added.

Zelenskyy also thanked European partners for what he described as unwavering support for Ukraine’s defence, diplomacy, and recovery efforts.

“Ukraine is defending Europe with all its strength, and full support for Ukraine will certainly strengthen all of Europe as well,” he said.

The latest development comes as Russia continues to intensify missile and drone attacks across Ukraine in what analysts describe as some of the heaviest bombardments since the war began in February 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

This week alone, Russian strikes reportedly targeted several Ukrainian cities, damaging energy infrastructure, residential buildings, and military facilities while causing civilian casualties.

Since the outbreak of the war in 2022, Ukraine has increasingly sought long-term strategies to resist Russian military pressure by strengthening domestic defence production, expanding drone technology, and deepening military cooperation with Western allies.

Kyiv has also accelerated efforts to develop homegrown military capabilities aimed at sustaining its resistance and protecting its sovereignty amid the prolonged conflict.