Zelenskyy stresses importance of retaining link to reparations in EU loan to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the decision by EU leaders to provide a joint €90 billion loan to Ukraine, emphasising that it is contingent upon Russia's payment of reparations.

Source: Zelenskyy during an online briefing with journalists on Saturday 20 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said he considers the European Union's decision on the joint loan to be "very strong".

"For us, it was essential to secure financing for everyone: our state, our people, the army, civilians, children. Together with the European leaders, and I am grateful to them, we have secured €90 billion out of €210 for two years, €45 billion for each year. This is very strong support. We are grateful for it," he added.

Zelenskyy pointed out that the decision has retained the link to the reparations that Russia must pay.

"And this is the second aspect that was important to us – not to forget about justice, not to forget about reparations. Because Russia will do everything it can to make the world forget about this over time. There is a clear link here," Zelenskyy said.

"We have received an interest-free loan of €90 billion. And Ukraine will only repay this money to the European Union when Russia pays the same amount of reparations to Ukraine. That is, the link is still there, the money is still there," he added.

Background:

• The European Council has agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan for 2026-2027 based on EU borrowing on capital markets, backed by EU budget reserves.
• While approving the loan, the European Union reminded Ukraine of the importance of continuing to combat corruption.

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