18 June 2026 14:25 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission says EU backs Ukraine with EUR 90 billion

Key points

Congratulates Ukraine on opening first cluster
Announces EUR 90 billion loan for next two years

TL;DR

Congratulates Ukraine for opening the first cluster and hopes to open more clusters during the summer.
Says the EU will provide a EUR 90 billion loan over the next two years and highlights Ukraine's integration with Member States on air defence and a drone wall.
States Russia has shut down the internet and closed Telegram, creating a digital iron curtain

Original text

European Commission - Statement Doorsteps by President von der Leyen with President Zelenskyy ahead of the EUCO meeting of 18-19 June 2026 Brussels, 18 June 2026 I also want to join those who congratulate Ukraine for opening the first cluster. This is a big step forward. Congratulations, and you deserve it because you have been working so hard to move forward, to do the necessary reforms. We hope that during the summer we can open more clusters. This is very important because when Ukraine delivers, we also have to deliver. And indeed, there is a special momentum right now. I have the impression the tide is turning for Ukraine. We see that Ukraine is holding the line, even partially regaining territory. Ukraine is strong on air defence, also together with our Member States working on a drone wall for our frontline countries. This shows how much Ukraine is already integrated in the work of the European Union and moving forward. And this at a time where we send a very strong message also to Russia that we provide Ukraine with EUR 90 billion loan for the next two years, so also to give a very strong message to say we are going to be by your side for as long as it takes. In Russia, on the other hand, the economy is suffering. The fact that Russia has shut down the internet, closed telegram for example, speaks for itself because Russia is again rising an iron curtain, but now it is a digital iron curtain on their people. And so far, this is a very special moment. We are very glad to have Volodymyr Zelenskyy here with the European Council, and I am very much looking forward to the discussions that we will have. STATEMENT/26/1391 Press contacts: Paula PINHO (+32 2 29 20815) Arianna PODESTA (+32 2 298 70 24) Olof GILL (+32 2 29 65966) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

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