The European Union (EU) and its 27 Member States have demonstrated unwavering unity and resolve in their unprecedented support for Ukraine. Since the onset of the war, the EU and its members have collectively pledged close to $145 billion* in multifaceted assistance to Ukraine. This substantial package encompasses financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee aid, with a significant 65% provided as grants or in-kind support and the remaining 35% in highly concessional loans.
Further solidifying its commitment, in February 2024, European leaders reached an agreement to allocate up to $54 billion through the Ukraine Facility until 2027. This dedicated fund is designed to bolster Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction, and modernization efforts, as well as to support the nation’s reform agenda on its path to EU membership. Adding to this, in October 2024, the EU and G7 partners jointly committed to providing loans totaling $50 billion to address Ukraine’s budgetary, military, and reconstruction needs. These loans will be financed by extraordinary revenues derived from immobilized Russian sovereign assets, with the EU contributing $20 billion. The initial disbursement of $3.2 billion occurred in January 2025. These combined efforts bring the total EU commitments to Ukraine to nearly $198 billion.
In tangible terms, July 2024 saw the EU make available the first $1.6 billion generated from immobilized Russian assets, along with $1.5 billion for military support channeled through the European Peace Facility (EPF), and $109 million dedicated to energy support via the Ukraine Facility. A significant political milestone was reached in December 2023 when European leaders endorsed the commencement of accession negotiations with Ukraine. This decision recognized Ukraine’s remarkable progress and determination in implementing reforms, particularly in anti-corruption measures, even amidst its defense against Russian aggression. The EU has affirmed that Ukraine is an integral part of the European family and pledged continued support throughout its journey towards EU membership.
From the outset of Russia’s illegal war, the EU has collaborated closely with the United States and other allies to impose extensive sanctions targeting Russia, its military apparatus, and its economy. This decisive action, aimed at isolating Russia internationally, has been taken despite the acknowledged negative repercussions on Europe’s own economic landscape. The EU has also acted swiftly to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, implementing bans on Russian coal and oil imports and drastically curtailing gas imports. The United States’ commitment to supplying Europe with U.S. LNG to replace a substantial portion of Russian gas imports has played a crucial role in disrupting Putin’s strategic energy plans.
The comprehensive support package from the EU and its Member States to Ukraine encompasses several key areas:
Financial, Budgetary, and Humanitarian Assistance:
Approximately $73 billion has been directed towards financial and budgetary support, as well as humanitarian and emergency aid. This pillar of support is considered equally vital to military assistance in ensuring Ukraine’s resilience. It enables the Ukrainian government to maintain essential functions, including paying salaries and pensions, and sustaining critical public services such as hospitals, schools, and housing for displaced populations. This financial lifeline also underpins macroeconomic stability and facilitates the restoration of damaged critical infrastructure. Key components include:
- $30.5 billion in direct financial assistance to Ukraine in 2022, 2023 and $3.2 billion in 2025.
- $21 billion in financial assistance mobilized through the Ukraine Facility in 2024.
- $13.2 billion in direct financial assistance from EU Member States in the form of grants, loans, and guarantees.
- $3 billion in loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), guaranteed by the EU budget.
- $4.8 billion in humanitarian aid, emergency assistance, budget support, and crisis response, and $122 million specifically allocated to rebuild Ukrainian schools.
- Over 154,000 tonnes of in-kind assistance, valued at over $1 billion, including vital medical supplies, mobile hospitals, shelters, school buses, ambulances, and nearly 8,800 power generators, facilitated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism with contributions from 35 participating countries.
- Coordination of over 4,000 medical evacuations of Ukrainian patients to provide specialized healthcare in hospitals across Europe.
Military Assistance:
Close to $53 billion has been committed to military aid, encompassing a wide range of equipment from ammunition to advanced air-defense systems, Leopard tanks, and fighter jets. This unprecedented level of military support includes $6.6 billion channeled through the European Peace Facility, in addition to bilateral contributions from individual Member States. Furthermore, in March 2024, the Council established a dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund with a value of $5.4 billion. EU military support also incorporates $2.2 billion for the joint procurement and delivery of up to one million rounds of artillery ammunition, and an additional $535 million to enhance EU defense industry production capacities for ammunition. The EU has become the largest provider of military training to the Ukrainian armed forces, with 73,000 Ukrainian military personnel trained under the EU Military Assistance Mission, backed by a budget of $390 million. An additional $27 million has been allocated for humanitarian de-mining efforts in liberated territories.
Support for Ukrainian Refugees:
Up to $18 billion from the EU budget has been earmarked to support Ukrainian refugees who sought refuge in EU Member States following the February 2022 invasion. Approximately 8 million Ukrainian refugees have been recorded within the EU, predominantly women, children, and elderly individuals. Over 4 million Ukrainians have registered for temporary protection status in the EU, granting them access to employment, accommodation, healthcare, and education for their children.
Boosting EU Solidarity Lanes:
Over $2.2 billion has been invested to strengthen “EU Solidarity Lanes,” crucial logistical routes for transporting Ukrainian food to global markets and mitigating the food security crisis exacerbated by Russia’s war. These lanes have facilitated the export of over 170 million tonnes of goods from Ukraine, including 81 million tonnes of grains and related products, generating essential revenue for the Ukrainian economy. The EU has also temporarily suspended import duties on exports from Ukraine, and data indicates that Ukraine’s export volumes are now surpassing pre-war levels.
By initiating war in Europe, Putin’s objectives extend beyond the destruction of Ukraine and destabilization of Europe. His actions aim to dismantle international law, undermine the UN Charter, and jeopardize global peace and security, posing severe consequences for vital American and European global security interests.
The EU expresses its gratitude to the United States for its steadfast bipartisan support for Ukraine and for its partnership with the European Union in working towards Ukraine’s victory in its fight for survival as an independent and sovereign nation. This is not the time to diminish support for Ukraine. Ukraine’s ability to withstand and overcome Putin’s aggression hinges on the robust and unwavering support from both the United States and Europe.
* EUR values converted into USD at the 12-month average ECB reference exchange rate as of February 21st. The total figure includes $21 billion already mobilized under the Ukraine Facility and $3.2 billion disbursed under the EU’s contribution to the G7 loan.
