Loan, critical for supporting Ukraine’s finances, was blocked until last month, when Hungary government lifted veto
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives to attend an informal European leaders’ summit in Ayia Napa, Cyprus April 23, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
Ukraine’s parliament is expected to vote on Thursday to ratify a 90-billion-euro ($104 billion) loan deal with the European Union, which would greatly ease its strained finances, lawmakers said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has submitted to the house a set of documents for ratification, including the memorandum of understanding on a macro-financial assistance programme that was signed last week.
The loan, critical for supporting Ukraine’s finances, had been blocked until last month, when Hungary’s new government lifted its veto.
Under the deal, 8.35 billion euros in funds for general budget support this year are to be distributed in three instalments tied to Ukraine adopting tax changes that had already been demanded by the International Monetary Fund. However, parliament has baulked at some of the legislation.
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One piece of legislation on raising taxes on parcels sent from abroad failed to pass parliament earlier this week.
The legislation also includes the introduction of a tax on income earned through digital platforms.
The IMF’s monitoring mission arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday for the first review of its $8.1 billion lending programme to Ukraine, approved in February.
Ukraine, now in its fifth year of fighting against a full-scale Russian invasion, channels the bulk of its domestic revenue to defence and relies on foreign financial aid to cover its social and humanitarian spending.
Parliament is also expected to vote on changes to the budget that would increase military spending, thanks to the EU loan.
