Brussels, 30 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ukraine must complete 12 agreed policy conditions before the European Commission can release its next €3.7 billion instalment of macro-financial assistance, with Brussels clarifying that the expected September payment date was indicative rather than a binding deadline.
€3.7bn payment depends on 12 reforms
The second Ukraine EU payment forms part of macro-financial assistance being provided under the EU’s wider €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027.
The European Commission disbursed the first €3.2 billion instalment on 25 June. The EU has earmarked up to €8.35 billion in macro-financial assistance for Ukraine during 2026, with an additional indicative payment of €1.45 billion expected later in the year if the required conditions are satisfied.
The Commission said on 29 September that the second €3.7 billion instalment remains linked to 12 reforms.
Asked about the apparent delay beyond the indicative September timetable, a Commission spokesperson said:
“The only deadline, the real deadline that we have is the end of the year.”
The Commission has not publicly confirmed how many of the 12 conditions Kyiv has completed as of 30 September.
VAT legislation is among EU requirements
One condition concerns Ukrainian legislation changing VAT treatment for lower-value imported parcels. Brussels considers the measure important for increasing domestic budget revenues.
Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari confirmed the connection between the legislation and financial assistance at an earlier September briefing.
“This law would have to be adopted in order for us to be able to proceed with the disbursements as foreseen.”
The requirement reflects the wider emphasis of the programme on domestic revenue mobilisation, sustainable public spending and stronger public financial management.
EU provides separate €3bn Ukraine Facility payment
The pending €3.7 billion instalment is separate from another major EU payment approved this month.
On 24 September, the Council approved nearly €3 billion for Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility after Kyiv completed ten additional reform indicators.
The Council said Ukraine had completed 84 of the 95 steps due under the Ukraine Plan, equivalent to about 88% of the required targets. The Facility is designed to support Ukraine’s macro-financial stability, reconstruction, modernisation and EU-related reforms.
The separate programmes illustrate how EU financial assistance increasingly links disbursements to measurable policy and governance commitments.
EU support for Ukraine reaches €90bn framework
The broader Ukraine Support Loan is intended to provide €90 billion over 2026 and 2027.
For 2026, the framework provides for up to €45 billion, including €28.3 billion intended to support Ukraine’s defence-industrial capacities and €16.7 billion in budget assistance.
The Ukraine EU payment under consideration therefore represents one component of a much larger financing package designed to help Kyiv maintain essential government functions and financial stability while Russia’s war continues.
Commission will assess reforms before releasing funds
The next step rests with Ukraine completing the outstanding requirements and the Commission assessing compliance with the agreed conditions.
Brussels has not announced a firm date for transferring the €3.7 billion. Its latest position is that the payment can proceed once the conditions are met, while the planned €8.35 billion in 2026 macro-financial assistance is intended to be disbursed by the end of the year, subject to Ukraine fulfilling its commitments.
