Kyiv will be able to spend money from the EU’s Ukraine support loan on weapons and other defence equipment made by British manufacturers. EU member states approved the UK’s participation in the €90 billion scheme.
The programme aims to help Ukraine cover its most urgent needs in 2026 and 2027. Until now, Kyiv could use the funding to buy from companies based in the EU and a limited group of partners. That included the European Economic Area, the European Free Trade Association and other approved third countries.
The latest decision adds British defence firms to that list. It gives Ukrainians access to a wider range of military equipment, including capabilities that are not always available from European suppliers.
According to Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the move reflects the EU and the UK’s shared commitment to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. “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,” she stated.
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€13 billion already paid out
The support loan will provide Kyiv with predictable funding throughout 2026 and 2027, with a total budget of €90 billion. Of that, €60 billion will strengthen Ukraine’s defence industry and finance military equipment purchases. The remaining €30 billion will go directly to the Ukrainian state budget to help keep essential public services running.
The European Commission has already disbursed €8.1 billion under the programme. That includes €3.2 billion in direct budget support and almost €4.9 billion for defence spending. In 2026, Brussels plans to release a further €28.3 billion from the defence component.
EU leaders approved the loan for Kyiv after failing to agree at last December’s summit on a financing plan backed by frozen Russian assets. The original proposal would have seen the entire EU guarantee the loan. However, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary said they would not take part in providing those guarantees.
London signs up to its share
Although the UK is no longer an EU member, the scheme allows third countries to join if they meet the required conditions.
London has committed to covering its fair share of the programme’s costs. It has also signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU and remains one of Ukraine’s largest providers of military and financial support.
The approval follows a financial contribution agreement that the EU and the UK signed on 13 July. The Council will now formally confirm the UK’s participation through a written procedure. The decision will take effect once it’s published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
