EU leaders from the 27 member states agreed on €90 billion in additional loans for Ukraine in 2026-2027. Discussions also addressed bloc enlargement and migration.
EU to loan Ukraine €90 billion for its military needs
EU leaders from the 27 member states agreed on €90 billion in additional loans for Ukraine in 2026-2027. Discussions also addressed bloc enlargement and migration.
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EU to loan Ukraine €90 billion for its military needs
EU leaders from the 27 member states agreed on €90 billion in additional loans for Ukraine in 2026-2027. Discussions also addressed bloc enlargement and migration.
What you need to know
The leaders of the European Union member states are meeting to discuss the most important issues impacting the bloc. Additional financing for Ukraine topped the agenda as the Trump administration rolls back US support.
What was up for discussion?
How to provide additional funding to Ukraine
The geo-economic situation of the EU
EU enlargement policy
European defense
Long-term budget for 2028-2034
And on the sidelines:
A contentious agreement with the Mercosur trading bloc
Follow along for the latest news, background and analysis from the European Council summit on Thursday, December 18, 2025:
loan to Ukraine a ‘decisive message’ to Putin — Merz
16 minutes ago16 minutes ago
€90 billion loan to Ukraine a ‘decisive message’ to Putin — Merz
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine a €90 billion loan a “decisive message for an end to the war.”
The interest-free loan is enough to cover Ukraine’s military and budgetary needs for the next two years, he pointed out in a statement.
And Russian President Vladimir Putin “will only make concessions once he realizes his war will not pay off,” Merz said.
EU leaders reach deal to finance Ukraine, European Council’s Costa says
49 minutes ago49 minutes ago
EU leaders reach deal to finance Ukraine, European Council’s Costa says
Leaders of EU nations have reached an agreement to provide €90 billion ($106 billion) to Ukraine for 2026-2027, European Council President Antonio Costa wrote on X after a long day and night of consultations in Brussels.
EU leaders did not, however, decide to use frozen Russian assets in Europe to finance the spending. Instead, the loan will be backed by the bloc’s common budget. Confirmed: EU-Mercosur deal postponed
5 hours ago5 hours ago
Confirmed: EU-Mercosur deal postponed
The European Commission confirmed on Thursday evening that the planned free-trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc has indeed been postponed.
Top EU officials had hoped to sign the EU-Mercosur treaty in Brazil this weekend, after more than 25 years of negotiations.
Instead, after protests by European farmers and last-minute opposition from France and Italy, Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho confirmed that the signing of the deal had been put off until January.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said her government would back a deal after the European Commission delivers more reassurances to farmers.
Rome’s support is required to reach the necessary majority of at least 15 of the EU’s 27 states, representing 65% of the bloc’s population.
Experts say the delay could dent the EU’s negotiating credibility globally as it seeks to forge new trade ties amid commercial tensions with China and the United States.
The leaders of the European Union member states are meeting to discuss the most important issues impacting the bloc. Additional financing for Ukraine topped the agenda as the Trump administration rolls back US support.
What was up for discussion?
How to provide additional funding to Ukraine
The geo-economic situation of the EU
EU enlargement policy
European defense
Long-term budget for 2028-2034
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine a €90 billion loan a “decisive message for an end to the war.”
The interest-free loan is enough to cover Ukraine’s military and budgetary needs for the next two years, he pointed out in a statement.
And Russian President Vladimir Putin “will only make concessions once he realizes his war will not pay off,” Merz said.
A contentious agreement with the Mercosur trading bloc-DW
