The European Union has urged Ukraine to accelerate agreed reforms needed to unlock billions of euros in financial assistance, as Kyiv faces a significant budget shortfall and seeks faster access to available support.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos delivered the message on Tuesday during a meeting of donors with Ukrainian officials in Brussels, saying Ukraine needed to fulfil the reforms already agreed with the EU before additional financial assistance could be released.
“Our message to our Ukrainian friends is clear — deliver the agreed reforms, so we can continue supporting you financially,” Kos said, stressing that the reforms were important for maintaining confidence that European assistance was being used effectively.
The European Commission has said more than €20 billion in financial assistance remains available to Ukraine before the end of 2026, subject to the country meeting the required reform conditions. The reforms form part of Ukraine’s broader commitments under its EU financial support and accession processes.
The pressure comes as Ukraine seeks additional resources to cover a large budget gap. Ukrainian officials have cited a multibillion-dollar shortfall for 2026 and have asked European partners to accelerate some financial support.
European officials have acknowledged Ukraine’s financial needs but have also questioned some of the figures presented by Kyiv. Brussels has indicated that completing reforms already agreed with the EU should remain a priority before additional funding arrangements are considered.
The EU’s position follows its recent approval of nearly €3 billion for Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility. The Council of the European Union said the payment reflected Ukraine’s successful completion of 10 target steps. Overall, Ukraine had completed 84 of the 95 target steps required under the plan at the time of the latest payment.
The reform requirements cover areas connected with public administration, the economy, the rule of law and other institutional changes. Some measures require action by Ukraine’s parliament before the associated financial support can be released.
The European Commission has previously warned that delays in adopting the necessary legislation could hold up further payments. Officials have also linked progress on the reforms to Ukraine’s broader path towards European Union membership.
At the same time, European officials have recognised the difficult circumstances facing Ukraine as Russia’s war continues. The European Commission has said the country has made substantial reform efforts during the conflict, while maintaining that momentum on the reform agenda needs to continue.
One of the funding arrangements under discussion is a €90 billion EU loan designed to support Ukraine through the end of 2027. Kyiv has sought options for bringing forward some payments to help address its immediate financial pressures.
For Ukraine, the challenge is therefore twofold: securing enough external financing to meet its wartime budgetary needs while completing the reforms that European partners have attached to portions of that assistance.
The latest EU position does not mean that financial support has been suspended altogether. Recent disbursements show that funding continues to flow when Ukraine meets the required conditions, but further payments remain tied to progress on the agreed reform programme.
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