The European Union is contemplating making the introduction of an unpopular business tax in Ukraine a condition for receiving part of the payments from the macroeconomic assistance package, bb.lv reports, citing Bloomberg.
The European Union is considering the possibility of tying the provision of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine to stricter conditions, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, April 29, citing informed sources. According to them, this includes unpopular changes to Ukrainian tax legislation for businesses, which the EU may make a condition for disbursing part of the payments. The relevant plan is currently being discussed by the European Commission, according to the publication. The changes could affect Kyiv's ability to receive €8.4 billion as part of the so-called macroeconomic assistance, which will allow Ukraine to continue its defensive struggle against Russia, the authors indicate.
Long-awaited EU loan for Ukraine
The €90 billion loan for Ukraine, scheduled for 2026-2027, was agreed upon back in December 2025 but had long been blocked by the outgoing Hungarian government. Peter Szijjarto promised to lift the blockade, adding that Budapest does not plan to participate in the allocation of funds. European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis stated on April 21 that Brussels expects to disburse the first tranche by the end of May or early June.
The lifting of the Hungarian blockade paves the way for the implementation of the program; however, the emergence of additional requirements may slow down the process. At the same time, for Ukraine, obtaining funds remains critically important amid the ongoing war.
Thus, as bb.lv writes, the future of the loan will depend on the willingness of Ukrainian authorities to undertake reforms and how quickly Brussels and Kyiv can agree on the final terms of financing.
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