Ukraine expects to receive funds from the reparations loan as early as the beginning of 2026. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a conversation with media representatives on October 23.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Timeline for Receipt and Challenges in Securing Funding
Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Ukraine is counting on receiving financial assistance specifically at the beginning of 2026, although the final resolution of this issue depends not only on the Ukrainian side. The president emphasized that the process of agreeing on the reparations loan faces resistance from certain countries, but most partners are positively inclined.
“We need them (the funds – ed.) in 2026, it would be better to receive them at the very beginning of the year. But I do not know if this is possible. Not everything depends on us – some things depend on others, and that’s good, but not everything,” he stated.
He also added that Ukraine knows who may block the decision regarding the loan and is ready to cooperate even with those who are currently unwilling to engage in dialogue.
Priorities for Fund Utilization and International Support
The majority of the received loan is planned to be directed towards the development of Ukrainian defense production. Special attention will be given to the production of long-range weapons, including drones, electronic warfare systems, and missiles. According to the president, the potential of Ukraine’s defense industry allows for the production of drones and missiles worth up to 35 billion hryvnias per year, although currently only one-third of this capacity is being utilized.
Additionally, funds will be invested in joint programs with European partners, as well as in strengthening air defense systems, particularly those capable of protecting against ballistic threats.
Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the involvement of frozen assets of the Russian Federation is one of the pressure tools that Moscow fears. The president expressed hope that the leaders of the European Union will support a political decision to use these assets to assist Ukraine.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reported that he expects the establishment of a legal framework for the potential issuance of a reparations loan to Ukraine. Currently, over 180 billion euros of frozen assets belonging to Russia are located in Belgium, particularly due to bonds of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation held in the Euroclear depository.
As part of the initiative, the funds are to be transferred to the European Union, which will enter into a debt agreement with Euroclear at 0% interest. The funds provided to Ukraine will only need to be repaid in the event of compensation for damages by Russia. Official Moscow harshly criticizes this idea, calling it “pure theft.”
In response to the potential seizure of foreign assets, on September 30, the Russian authorities adopted a new procedure for the realization of federal assets abroad. According to Bloomberg, Russia is preparing for the nationalization and urgent sale of foreign assets in response to such actions.