European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Gdańsk on Thursday that the first payment of €3.2 billion from the European Union’s €90 billion loan package for Ukraine would be disbursed that day. “In the coming days, disbursements will also begin from the €6 billion allocation for drone production,” she added.
The loan package for Ukraine became possible after Hungary withdrew its veto. The €3.2 billion released by the European Commission on Thursday will be transferred to Kyiv as budget support, while Ukraine will be able to spend the additional €6 billion on drones. The €90 billion package will be disbursed to Ukraine in installments throughout 2026 and 2027.
“This is proof that Europe’s support for Ukraine is enduring,” von der Leyen said in her opening address at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026. “At the same time, we call on all our partners to maintain their support, because a strong and independent Ukraine is in our common interest,” she emphasized.
The European Commission President also announced the launch of the European Flagship Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, a joint initiative of the European Union, Poland, France, Germany and Italy. The fund aims to mobilize €1 billion in investments for strategic sectors of Ukraine’s economy.
“Public capital will take the first risk. This will build the confidence needed to attract major private investments,” she argued.
The fund’s initiators have contributed €220 million in initial capital. The fund aims to achieve a first closing of €500 million by 2026.
The Prime Minister’s Office reported that before the conference began, the head of government held meetings with the Chancellor of Germany, the Prime Minister of Moldova, the Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the President of the World Bank.
This year’s conference program is structured around five thematic pillars: business, security and defense, integration with the European Union, regional development, and human capital.