EU disburses 4.36 billion euros to Ukraine for budget and defence support

Payment breakdown

The European Commission released a 4.36 billion euro package to Ukraine on 5 November, as reported by ANSA and Il Sole 24 Ore. Of that sum, 3.7 billion euros is the second tranche of macro-financial assistance agreed for 2026, while 658 million euros comes from the defence component of the loan. Ursula von der Leyen announced the payment on X, saying EU support continues unconditionally while Russia keeps up its attacks. One Romanian report gives the defence share as 660 million euros, while the Commission's figure is 658 million.

Macro-financial assistance (2nd tranche)3.7

Defence component of the loan0.658

Macro-financial assistance (2nd tranche)

3.7 billion euro

Defence component of the loan

0.658 billion euro

Data from the article text

Conditions and reforms

This macro-financial tranche is the second of three planned for 2026 and forms part of a total of 8.35 billion euros. Payments are made in instalments and depend on Ukraine carrying out the reforms and measures set out in a memorandum of understanding. Kyiv met all 12 policy conditions for this instalment. They included legislation taxing income earned through digital platforms, the end of the VAT exemption on low-value commercial imports sent in postal parcels, and better tax compliance. Other reforms targeted budget planning, public investment management, customs modernisation and external audit. Romanian outlet G4Media, citing Ukrainska Pravda, reports that the Verkhovna Rada adopted several of the required bills on 14 and 15 October.

Defence funding and the rest of 2026

The 658 million euros is the seventh defence payment under the loan and will fund drones, missiles, radar, electronic warfare systems and munitions for Ukraine's air defence. According to the Commission, 25.2 billion euros of EU financial aid is still available to Ukraine for the rest of 2026. That amount includes about 20.9 billion euros from the loan, of which 11.9 billion is earmarked for Ukraine's defence industrial capacity and 9.0 billion for budget support.

Russian strikes and Italy's role

Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine with drones and missiles, and Kyiv faces new power outages, il Giornale reports. The same outlet says Italy is preparing a new military package that could include Aster interceptor missiles for air defence. Giorgia Meloni wrote to European Council President Antonio Costa, warning of the risk that Europe becomes irrelevant in the negotiations, and asked for greater European involvement in any future peace process.

Visegrad summit in Trencin

Von der Leyen also addressed the Visegrad Group summit in Trencin, Slovakia. She said enlargement is a geostrategic necessity and that high energy prices top the agenda, with the Commission pushing a faster shift to clean energy, more diversified supply and joint demand purchasing. On Ukraine she said Kyiv must negotiate peace from a position of strength, and that the Visegrad countries will play a key role in Ukraine's future integration into the Union.