Ukraine secures €90 billion EU interest-free loan amid roaming zone integration
The European Union has approved an interest-free loan of 90 billion euros for Ukraine, spanning 2026 and 2027, following intensive negotiations among 24 member states. The deal, announced by EU Council President António Costa, falls short of utilizing frozen Russian assets but marks a pivotal financial lifeline. This support arrives as Ukraine becomes the first non-EU nation to join the bloc's "Roam Like at Home" roaming zone, effective immediately, easing mobile connectivity for its citizens across Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the agreement as a major boost to national resilience, emphasizing the importance of keeping Russian assets immobilized while securing financial stability for the coming years. The loan draws from EU market borrowings backed by the bloc's collective budget, after efforts to tap approximately 210 billion euros in frozen Russian central bank holdings stalled due to legal and financial hurdles raised by nations like Belgium.
Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic opted out of guaranteeing the loan but did not veto it, thanks to enhanced cooperation mechanisms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a proponent of leveraging frozen assets, noted that such funds could amply cover Ukraine's military and budgetary needs over the next two years. The International Monetary Fund projects Ukraine's requirements at 137 billion euros for the period, with repayment tied to future Russian war reparations potentially converting the loan into a grant if Moscow fails to comply.
In parallel, Ukraine's entry into the EU roaming zone allows its users seamless, cost-free mobile services in 27 member states at domestic rates, with reciprocal benefits for EU travelers in Ukraine. The European Commission proposed this digital integration in June 2025, gaining Council approval by July. Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation described it as a landmark step, building on voluntary roaming pacts that have supported over four million Ukrainian refugees since 2022.
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