Ukraine support loan: relief, but lessons must be learnt
The Renew Europe Group welcomes the unblocking of the 90-billion-euro Ukraine Support Loan, made possible after Hungary lifted its veto. This vital financial lifeline will allow Ukraine to meet its most pressing budgetary needs at a critical moment in the war.
"This unblocking is a relief, but it must not become a precedent, it clearly shows the need of reform. One country should never again be able to block our collective action in support of Ukraine. It is time to end the unanimity rule in foreign affairs, once and for all,"
Valérie HayerRenew Europe MEP, France, Renaissance
said Valérie Hayer, President of the Renew Europe Group.
Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna, Sweden), EP standing rapporteur for the EU financial assistance to Ukraine, stated :
"Europe has finally delivered crucial support to Ukraine. But the delays, under pressure linked to Russian oil, expose serious weaknesses in our decision-making. Europe must be better prepared. We should already be working on the next package, financed through frozen Russian assets. Supporting Ukraine is the most important investment in Europe,"
Karin KarlsbroRenew Europe MEP, Sweden, Liberalerna
Yet this outcome leaves a bitter aftertaste. For weeks, a single member state held hostage a loan vital to Ukraine's defence through inadmissible blackmail. The EU cannot allow this to happen again.
Relief cannot mean complacency. We must not let up! Despite the 90-billion-euro loan, Ukraine still faces a defence funding gap of 19.6 billion euros in 2026. As European leaders gather in Cyprus, and as Russia exploits the conflict in Iran to intensify its attacks on Ukraine, Renew Europe calls on all member states to maintain and strengthen their support - financially, militarily, and politically.