Brussels will allocate 2 billion euros to Ukraine, which is experiencing severe financial difficulties, as part of its support program for Ukraine, as EU efforts to secure long-term funding for Kyiv remain blocked by Hungary, UNN reports with reference to Euractiv.
"I welcome the positive progress in the Verkhovna Rada, as the Ukrainian parliament has adopted important laws related to EU and IMF reforms," EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos wrote on X on Wednesday evening.
The publication notes that the European Commission can unilaterally allocate funds under the Ukraine support program – the EU's medium-term "money for reforms" scheme worth 50 billion euros, launched after Russia's full-scale invasion – provided that Kyiv promotes accession-related reforms in the areas of rule of law, economy, and tax collection.
Another 440 million euros could be allocated after the completion of negotiations on governance reforms, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced on Telegram.
Brussels is trying to mobilize additional large-scale support, as Hungary is blocking a proposed EU loan of 90 billion euros due to a dispute related to the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary via Ukraine.
Budapest has also stalled Ukraine's EU accession process, refusing to open or close negotiation groups – a factor contributing to the slowdown in the pace of reforms.
In a letter to the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament last month, seen by Euractiv, Kos urged lawmakers to accelerate reforms.
"Further progress will help maintain the pace of reforms, bring Ukraine closer to EU membership, and achieve concrete results for the citizens of Ukraine," she wrote. According to the letter, more than 4 billion euros could be released if Kyiv fulfills its obligations.
At the same time, the publication notes that Ukraine's reform record remains mixed. Transparency International ranks the country 104th out of 182 in its latest corruption index, with little change since Russia's full-scale invasion. Freedom House states that corruption remains a serious problem, and anti-corruption efforts have been inconsistent.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's administration faced criticism last year over proposals to weaken anti-corruption bodies before changing course.