TC1-COD-2024-0234_EN
TC1-COD-2024-0234_EN
2024-2029
EP-PE_TC1-COD(2024)0234
22.10.2024
***I
POSITION OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT
adopted at first reading on 22 October 2024 with a view to the adoption of
Regulation (EU) 2024/… of the European Parliament and of the Council
establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing
exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine
(EP-PE_TC1-COD(2024)0234)
PE763.765v01-00
EN United in diversity EN
POSITION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/… of the European Parliament and
of the Council establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing
exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article
212 thereof,
-1-
Whereas:
(1) Since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression
against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the Union, its Member States and European
financial institutions have mobilised unprecedented support for Ukraine’s economic,
social and financial resilience. That support combines support from the Union
budget, including exceptional macro-financial assistance and support from the
European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, fully or partially guaranteed by the Union budget, as well as further
financial support by Member States.
-2-
(3) On 29 February 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/792 of the European Parliament and of
the Council3 established the Ukraine Facility as an exceptional medium-term
instrument that brings together the bilateral support provided by the Union to
Ukraine, ensuring coordination and efficiency (the ‘Ukraine Facility’). Over the
period 2024 to 2027, the Ukraine Facility helps address Ukraine’s financing needs
and contributes to its recovery, reconstruction and modernisation needs, while at the
same time supporting Ukraine’s reforms effort as part of its path towards accession
to the Union. The Ukraine Facility has put into action the Union’s unwavering
commitment to providing continued financial support to Ukraine and its people.
(4) Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has caused tremendous damage in
Ukraine, with estimated recovery and reconstruction costs of USD 486 billion as of
31 December 2023. Moreover, Ukraine has lost access to international financial
markets and experienced a significant drop in public revenue, while public
expenditure has increased substantially. Against that background, substantive
funding needs for the coming years can be foreseen.
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(5) On 30 March 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed with Ukraine a
USD 15,6 billion four-year programme under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to
sustain economic and financial stability at a time of exceptionally high uncertainty,
restore debt sustainability, and promote reforms that support Ukraine’s recovery in
the post-war period. The IMF programme, together with financing assurances from
the G7 Leaders, the Union and other donors, is designed to address Ukraine’s
balance-of-payments financing needs and restore medium-term external viability. To
date, Ukraine has successfully completed four programme reviews under the EFF,
thus underscoring the Ukrainian authorities’ steadfast commitment to conducting
reforms and prudent policy-making. The baseline total financing gap over the IMF
programme period is estimated by the IMF at USD 121,9 billion.
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(6) In view of the exceptionally elevated uncertainty surrounding the outlook regarding
the situation in Ukraine, on the occasion of the fourth programme review under the
EFF, the IMF presented an updated downside scenario which factors in the economic
shock resulting from a more intense war running into 2025. As a consequence of the
adverse impact on economic sentiment, migration, increasing pressure on energy
supply, impairment of export capacities, and in particular defence spending, the total
financing gap under that downside scenario would risk increasing to USD 140,7
billion over the IMF programme period. Given the continued intensity of the war,
and the damage to Ukraine’s critical civilian infrastructure from increased large-scale
attacks by Russia, Ukraine needs to mobilise significant additional resources for its
budgetary and long-term recovery and reconstruction priorities. As a result and given
that a residual financing gap remains over and above the resources already provided
by the Union, other donors and international financial institutions, including the IMF,
the Union should continue to provide an appropriate response.
-5-
(7) The G7 Leaders, in their Communiqué adopted on 14 June 2024 in Apulia,
reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and their strong commitment to
helping Ukraine meet its urgent short-term financing needs, as well as to supporting
its long-term recovery and reconstruction priorities. To that end, G7 Leaders
announced the launch of the ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for
Ukraine’ initiative, in order to make available approximately USD 50 billion in
additional funding for Ukraine’s military, budget and reconstruction needs by the end
of 2024. G7 Leaders announced their intention to provide financing that will be
serviced and repaid by future flows of extraordinary revenues stemming from the
immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets held in the Union and other relevant
jurisdictions.
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(8) In its conclusions of 27 June 2024, the European Council invited the Commission,
the High Representative and the Council to take work forward, while addressing all
relevant legal and financial aspects, in order to provide additional funding for
Ukraine by the end of the year in the form of loans serviced and repaid by future
flows of the extraordinary revenues together with G7 partners as discussed by G7
Leaders, to support Ukraine’s current and future military, budget and reconstruction
needs. The European Council also stated that, subject to Union law, Russia’s assets
should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine
and compensates it for the damage caused by this war.
-7-
(9) In the context of Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine, it is
necessary to ensure that Ukraine is provided with sufficient and continuous financial
support. To that end, a Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism (the ‘Mechanism’)
should be established to provide Ukraine with non-repayable financial support with a
view to assisting the country to repay loans provided to support it. The Mechanism
should receive resources, including from future flows of the extraordinary profits
stemming from Russia’s immobilised assets, and disburse those resources on a
regular basis to Ukraine to cover the principal, interest and any other related costs of
loans. Furthermore, in order for the Union to directly help Ukraine meet its financing
needs, the Union should provide exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in
the form of a loan (the ‘MFA Loan’) to be supported by the Mechanism.
(10) On 21 May 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/14704, which amended
Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP5. Decision (CFSP) 2024/1470 states, in recital 28,
that the restrictive measures linked to the prohibition of transactions related to the
management of the assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia should remain
in place until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates
Ukraine for the damage caused by this war.
-8-
(11) On 21 May 2024, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/14696, which amended
Council Regulation (EU) No 833/20147. Regulation (EU) 2024/1469 gives effect to
certain measures provided for in Decision (CFSP) 2024/1470. Those measures
comprise the rules on how the net profits ensuing from the unexpected and
extraordinary revenues accruing to central securities depositories as a result of the
implementation of the prohibition laid down in Article 1a(4) of Decision
2014/512/CFSP and in Article 5a(4) of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 are to be
directed to support Ukraine, including through Union programmes which are
financed from the Union budget, consistent with applicable contractual obligations,
and in accordance with Union and international law, in coordination with partners. In
particular, central securities depositories holding assets and reserves of the Central
Bank of Russia with a total value exceeding EUR 1 million are to make a financial
contribution to the Union equivalent to 99,7 % of the net profits stemming from the
immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets and accumulating since 15 February
2024.
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(12) The financial contribution from the central securities depositories to the Union
should be due as long as the restrictive measures linked to the prohibition of
transactions related to the management of the assets and reserves of the Central Bank
of Russia are in place, and should remain in place until Russia ceases its war of
aggression against Ukraine and compensates Ukraine for the damage caused by that
war.
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(14) It should be possible to support the Mechanism by providing extraordinary revenues
stemming from the immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets held in relevant
jurisdictions other than the Union. To that end, it should be possible for third
countries or other sources to contribute to the Mechanism. Additionally, it should be
possible for Member States to contribute on a voluntary basis towards the
Mechanism, in particular from revenues that accrue to the Member State concerned
from the immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets. Such contributions should
constitute external assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2), points (a), (d)
and (e), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of
the Council8 (the ‘Financial Regulation’). Furthermore, it should be possible for third
countries to directly use extraordinary revenues stemming from the immobilisation
of Russian sovereign assets within their jurisdiction to reduce the repayment needs of
any respective bilateral loan provided to Ukraine, thereby supporting the Mechanism
by reducing the total level of support that would be required for that loan.
8 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union
(OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj).
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(15) Support under the Mechanism should be available to cover the overall amount of
principal, interest and any other related costs of the MFA Loan taken by Ukraine
through the signature of an agreement relating to the MFA Loan (the ‘MFA Loan
Agreement’), as well as through bilateral loan agreements with bilateral lenders
acting under the auspices of the G7 ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for
Ukraine’ initiative as set out in the G7 Leaders’ Communiqué adopted on 14 June
2024 in Apulia.
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(16) Support under the Mechanism should be available and provided in a manner that
ensures equal access both for bilateral lenders and for the Union. The provision of
bilateral loans through an intermediary should not preclude the eligibility of such
loans for the purposes of this Regulation. Non-repayable financial support should be
allocated to Ukraine to repay the MFA Loan and eligible bilateral loans in proportion
to the principal of the respective loan against the sum of the principal of the MFA
Loan and all eligible bilateral loans. That allocation should be readjusted once the
respective loans, including interest and any other related costs, have been fully repaid
by Ukraine, in such a way that any future resources are allocated to remaining loans
in proportion to the principal of the MFA Loan or eligible bilateral loan against the
sum of the principal of all remaining loans. The principal of each loan should be
considered as the initial principal committed in the respective loan documentation
and not take into consideration other factors, such as repayments, additional
financing or any capitalised amounts.
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(17) In order to ensure that bilateral loans provided by bilateral lenders can swiftly and
efficiently be supported by the Mechanism, the Commission should assess, and
where relevant approve for support, the bilateral loans to be provided by bilateral
lenders acting under the auspices of the G7 ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration
Loans for Ukraine’ initiative. Where such bilateral loan agreements are in draft form
or have not yet entered into force, the Commission should monitor their entry into
force. In order to ensure a timely disbursement of bilateral loans to Ukraine, bilateral
loan agreements should be submitted to the Commission by 1 June 2025 and should
enter into force by 30 June 2025.
(18) The release of support under the Mechanism should be contingent on the conclusion
of an agreement between the Commission and Ukraine on the detailed provisions for
the implementation of the Mechanism, and on the positive assessment by the
Commission of a request for non-repayable financial support submitted by Ukraine.
Ukraine should provide the Commission with the necessary information to ensure
that the Mechanism supports bilateral loans up to the total amount due to the bilateral
lender concerned. Exceptionally, and for duly justified reasons, the Commission
could also assess requests for payments from bilateral lenders.
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(19) In addition to the support under the Mechanism, an MFA Loan should be provided to
support macro-financial stability in Ukraine and to ease Ukraine’s external financing
constraints, in particular with a view to covering the country’s financing needs.
Given the urgent nature of those financing needs, the MFA Loan should be available
before the end of 2024.
(20) The MFA Loan should provide support in the form of a loan of up to EUR 35 billion.
In order to cater for the potential requests for support of bilateral loans under the
Mechanism whilst ensuring the sound financial management of Union support
available under this Regulation, the amount of the MFA Loan should be adjusted
taking into account bilateral loans to Ukraine approved as eligible under the
Mechanism, together with the principal amount indicated in stated intentions of third
countries communicated to the Commission under the auspices of the G7
‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine’ initiative. That adjustment
should take place where the total amount of all loans for which support under this
Regulation has been sought exceeds EUR 45 billion.
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(21) The support to Ukraine under the MFA Loan should be additional and
complementary to the Union support provided under the Ukraine Facility. The
Commission should, wherever possible, seek to minimise the administrative and
reporting burden on Ukraine.
(22) The support to Ukraine under the MFA Loan should be made available under the
precondition that Ukraine continue to uphold and respect effective democratic
mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system and the rule of law, and to
guarantee respect for human rights, including those of persons belonging to
minorities. That precondition should also apply to requests for disbursement from the
Mechanism as they pertain to the MFA Loan. The same precondition applies to the
support provided under the Ukraine Facility and the Commission should conduct its
assessment together for the two instruments.
- 16 -
(23) The Commission should duly take into account Council Decision 2010/427/EU9 and
the role of the European External Action Service, where appropriate.
(24) The MFA Loan should be linked to policy conditions to be set out in a memorandum
of understanding between the Commission and Ukraine (the MoU). Those conditions
should be consistent with the qualitative and quantitative steps contained in the
Annex to Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/144710, and with any
amendments thereto made by the time the MoU is adopted. Additionally, the MoU
should include a commitment by Ukraine to promote cooperation with the Union on
the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine’s defence industry, in line
with the objectives of Union programmes aiming at the recovery, reconstruction and
modernisation of the Ukraine Defence Technological and Industrial Base and other
relevant Union programmes. The necessary steps should also be taken to ensure
coordination and complementarity of the bilateral loans, including the MFA Loan,
with the other donors. In that regard, the Ukraine Donor Platform should be used as
an already established forum for such exchange.
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(25) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, and
for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such
conditions with the Ukrainian authorities under the supervision of the committee of
representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No
182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council11. Considering the
potentially significant impact of assistance, it is appropriate that the examination
procedure as specified in Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 be used. Considering the
amount of the MFA Loan to Ukraine, the examination procedure should apply to the
adoption of the MoU, and to any reduction or cancellation of the MFA Loan.
(26) The release of the single instalment under the MFA Loan should be contingent on the
positive assessment by the Commission of a request for funds submitted by Ukraine.
The assessment of the policy conditions set out in the MoU should be without
prejudice to the assessment of the fulfilment of aligned conditions under other Union
programmes and instruments.
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(27) In view of the principle of sound financial management, and to facilitate the
Ukrainian authorities’ liquidity management and ensure predictability, the
Commission should ensure that tranches of the MFA Loan are disbursed throughout
the course of 2024 and 2025, avoiding to the extent possible significant deviations of
disbursed amounts from quarter-to-quarter. The disbursement of those tranches
should, where appropriate, be aligned with the timing of disbursements of loan or
non-repayable financial support under Pillar I of the Ukraine Facility. Furthermore, it
is appropriate to provide for the possibility to reassess the funding needs of Ukraine
and to reduce or cancel the support under the MFA Loan if those needs decrease
fundamentally during the period of the availability of the support under the MFA
Loan as compared to the initial projections.
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(28) The MFA Loan Agreement to be concluded between the Commission and the
Ukrainian authorities should contain provisions aligned with the rights,
responsibilities and obligations provided for in the framework agreement under the
Ukraine Facility referred to in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/792 signed between
the Union and Ukraine that entered into force on 20 June 2024. That will ensure that
the Union’s financial interests linked to the MFA Loan are protected efficiently,
providing the appropriate measures relating to the prevention of, and fight against,
fraud, corruption and any other irregularities linked to the assistance. It will also, in
accordance with the Financial Regulation, grant the necessary rights and access to
the Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Court of
Auditors and, where applicable, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, including
from third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds during and after the
availability period of the MFA Loan. Ukraine should also report irregularities in
relation to the use of the funds to the Commission, in line with the procedures
provided for in the framework agreement under the Ukraine Facility.
- 20 -
(29) In the context of Ukraine’s financing needs, it is appropriate to organise the financial
assistance under the diversified funding strategy provided for in Article 224 of the
Financial Regulation and established as a single funding method therein, which is
expected to enhance the liquidity of Union bonds and the attractiveness and cost-
effectiveness of Union issuance.
- 21 -
(30) By way of derogation from Article 31(3), second sentence, of Regulation (EU)
2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council12, the financial liability
from the MFA Loan should not be supported by the External Action Guarantee
established by Regulation (EU) 2021/947. Support from the MFA Loan should
constitute financial assistance within the meaning of Article 223(1) of the Financial
Regulation. Given that the financial assistance of the MFA Loan is available in 2024
and is authorised in accordance with Article 223(1) of the Financial Regulation, it is
appropriate that the guarantee for the MFA Loan to Ukraine be mobilised over and
above the multiannual financial framework (MFF) ceilings and up to the limits of the
ceilings referred to in Article 3(1) and (2) of Council Decision (EU, Euratom)
2020/205313 in accordance with Article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom)
2020/209314. When considering the financial risks and the budgetary coverage, no
provisioning should be constituted for the support from the MFA Loan, to be
guaranteed over and above the MFF ceilings, and, by way of derogation from Article
214(1) of the Financial Regulation, no provisioning rate should be set.
12 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June
2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation
Instrument – Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU of the
European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 of
the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No
480/2009 (OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1).
13 Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 of 14 December 2020 on the system of
own resources of the European Union and repealing Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom
(OJ L 424, 15.12.2020, p. 1).
14 Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the
multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p.
11).
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(31) Given the difficult situation of Ukraine caused by Russia’s war of aggression and in
order to support Ukraine on its long-term stability path, it is appropriate for the
Union to provide the MFA Loan to Ukraine on highly concessional terms with a
sufficiently long duration to accommodate the capacities of the guarantee over and
above the MFF ceilings.
(32) Union support to Ukraine under this Regulation should be managed by the
Commission.
(33) In order to ensure that the European Parliament and the Council are able to follow
the implementation of this Regulation, the Commission should regularly inform them
of developments relating to Union support to Ukraine under this Regulation and
provide them with the relevant documents.
(34) In order to ensure the continued effectiveness of the arrangements established by this
Regulation, the Commission should regularly review their adequacy and report to the
European Parliament and to the Council thereon, thereby guaranteeing transparency
and accountability.
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(35) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation,
implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should
be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
(36) Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely to provide support to Ukraine to
cover its financing needs, in particular by providing concessional short-term and
long-term relief in the form of the MFA Loan and of non-repayable financial support
under the Mechanism, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can
rather, by reasons of their scale and effect, be better achieved at Union level, the
Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out
in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of
proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is
necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
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(37) In view of the urgency entailed by the exceptional circumstances caused by Russia’s
unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression, it is considered to be appropriate to
invoke the exception to the eight-week period provided for in Article 4 of Protocol
No 1 on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union, annexed to the
Treaty on European Union, to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
and to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
(38) In light of the situation in Ukraine, this Regulation should enter into force as a matter
of urgency on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Union,
- 25 -
Chapter I
General provisions
Article 1
Subject matter
This Regulation establishes the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism (the ‘Mechanism’) and
makes available to Ukraine exceptional macro-financial assistance in the form of a loan (the
‘MFA Loan’) with a view to supporting Ukraine in covering its financing needs.
Article 2
Definitions
(1) ‘Union support’ means the MFA Loan and non-repayable financial support available
under the Mechanism;
(2) ‘bilateral loan’ means a loan given directly or indirectly by a third country as a
bilateral lender to the benefit of Ukraine;
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(3) ‘eligible bilateral loan’ means a bilateral loan approved as eligible under the
Mechanism by the Commission;
(4) ‘MFA Loan’ means the exceptional financial support made available by the Union to
Ukraine in the form of a loan under Chapter III;
(5) ‘MFA Loan Agreement’ means the loan agreement signed by the Commission, on
behalf of the Union, and Ukraine under Chapter III;
(6) ‘other related costs’ means any costs or fees due under the MFA Loan and the
respective bilateral loan.
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Chapter II
Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism
Article 3
Purpose
The purpose of the Mechanism shall be to provide Ukraine with non-repayable financial
support with a view to assisting Ukraine to repay the MFA Loan and eligible bilateral loans.
To achieve that purpose, the Mechanism shall receive resources and disburse them on a
regular basis to Ukraine to cover the principal, interest and any other related costs of the MFA
Loan and eligible bilateral loans. In its operations, the Mechanism shall ensure equal access
both for bilateral lenders and for the Union.
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Article 4
Financing
- 29 -
Article 5
Available support
1. The non-repayable financial support under the Mechanism shall be available under
the conditions set out in Articles 6, 7 and 8 to assist Ukraine to repay the principal,
interest and any other related costs of:
2. The non-repayable financial support under the Mechanism shall be allocated to assist
Ukraine to repay the MFA Loan and eligible bilateral loans referred to in paragraph 1
in proportion to the principal of each loan expressed in euro against the sum of the
principal of the MFA Loan and all eligible bilateral loans expressed in euro. Once the
MFA Loan or an eligible bilateral loan has been fully repaid by Ukraine, including
interest and any other related costs, such allocation shall be adjusted so that any
future resources under the Mechanism are allocated to remaining loans in proportion
to the principal of each loan expressed in euro against the sum of the principal of all
remaining loans expressed in euro.
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3. The Commission shall adopt a decision establishing the allocation provided for in
paragraph 2 of this Article between the MFA Loan and eligible bilateral loans. The
Commission shall use the principal of each eligible bilateral loan expressed in euro
as referred to in Article 6(5), point (b). The Commission shall without delay amend
that decision to include each bilateral loan upon the entry into force of that loan. The
Commission may amend that decision to proportionally reduce the allocation to a
bilateral loan should that bilateral loan not be fully disbursed by 31 December 2027.
4. The overall amount of the principal of the MFA Loan and eligible bilateral loans
referred to in paragraph 1 shall not exceed EUR 45 billion.
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5. The non-repayable financial support under the Mechanism shall be carried out in
euro.
6. All payments shall be subject to the availability of the resources referred to in Article
4(1).
7. The Union shall not assume any liability for the repayment of eligible bilateral loans.
Article 6
Commission implementing decision on the eligibility of the bilateral loans
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2. The Commission shall without delay assess the eligibility of bilateral loans under the
Mechanism in accordance with the following criteria:
(a) the bilateral loan agreement was not signed before 20 September 2024;
(b) the counterparty to the bilateral loan is acting under the auspices of the G7
‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine’ initiative; and
(c) the bilateral loan is to be fully disbursed to the benefit of Ukraine before 31
December 2027; such disbursements may be linked to the completion of policy
conditions.
For the purposes of the assessment, the Commission may seek additional information
from Ukraine.
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4. The Commission shall approve the eligibility of a bilateral loan by means of an
implementing decision.
(b) the principal of the bilateral loan expressed in euro; to the extent necessary, the
principal of the bilateral loan shall also be expressed in the currency of the
respective bilateral loan, where the conversion rate for the bilateral loan to euro
shall be the daily euro exchange rate published in the C series of the Official
Journal of the European Union on 20 September 2024; and
(c) the justification for the positive assessment of the bilateral loan.
- 34 -
6. The sum of the principals of all bilateral loans approved by the Commission in
accordance with this Article and the MFA Loan shall not exceed the amount laid
down in Article 5(4).
8. In the case of a negative assessment of the bilateral loan, the Commission shall
communicate that assessment to Ukraine, giving reasons for its assessment.
Article 7
Agreement for the implementation of the Mechanism
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2. The ULCM Agreement shall contain in particular the following elements:
(a) the obligation of Ukraine to use the non-repayable financial support under the
Mechanism for the repayment of the principal, interest and any other related
costs of the MFA Loan or eligible bilateral loans;
(b) the bank account details of all bilateral lenders to which payments of the non-
repayable financial support under the Mechanism related to their respective
bilateral loans shall be made by the Commission;
(c) for payments of the non-repayable financial support under the Mechanism
related to the MFA Loan, provisions ensuring that the Union shall use those
amounts to directly repay the MFA Loan;
(d) dedicated provisions reflecting Article 5(7) and ensuring that the Union shall
not be held liable for any damage caused by Ukraine or by any third parties in
the implementation of eligible bilateral loans, including as a consequence of
the implementation of the Mechanism, and specifically where the amounts
referred to in Article 4(1) vary over time or cease;
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(e) the obligation of Ukraine to obtain from the bilateral lenders and provide,
without delay, the Commission with proof of:
(i) the entry into force of each bilateral loan agreement; and
(f) the obligation of Ukraine to agree with each bilateral lender that any amounts
provided by Ukraine to a bilateral lender to repay the bilateral loan that do not
immediately discharge repayment obligations, shall remain available until such
time as the repayment obligations fall due, with any interest accrued on that
amount also available to be used to discharge obligations under the bilateral
loan agreement;
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(g) the obligation of Ukraine to accompany each payment request with:
(i) details of the remaining amounts due under each bilateral loan
agreement; and
(i) any other requirements needed for the implementation of the Mechanism.
3. To the extent necessary, the ULCM Agreement shall be amended following the entry
into force of any Commission implementing decision adopted pursuant to Article
6(4).
- 38 -
Article 8
Disbursement of the non-repayable financial support
1. Ukraine may submit to the Commission twice a year a request for non-repayable
financial support under the Mechanism in respect of the MFA Loan and eligible
bilateral loans.
2. The Commission shall assess Ukraine’s request for non-repayable financial support
under the Mechanism on the basis of the following requirements:
(a) compliance with the precondition set out in Article 11(1), which shall only be
applicable as regards the MFA Loan;
(b) confirmation that the total value of disbursements in respect of the MFA Loan
or each eligible bilateral loan, together with any interest accrued thereon, does
not exceed the total amount due to that bilateral lender; and
- 39 -
3. Subject to the availability of the resources referred to in Article 4(1), where the
Commission makes a positive assessment of the request for non-repayable financial
support under the Mechanism, it shall adopt without undue delay a decision
authorising the disbursement of the non-repayable financial support under the
Mechanism, including the amount disbursed to support the repayment of each
eligible bilateral loan and the amount made available to support the repayment of the
MFA Loan. The amount disbursed under the Mechanism shall equal the amount of
resources available on the basis of Article 4(1). That amount disbursed shall be
allocated in accordance with the Commission decision referred to in Article 5(3).
4. In the event that the amount made available to Ukraine to support the repayment of
the MFA Loan is higher than the amount due for repayment under the MFA Loan,
the excess amount may be used for early repayment of the MFA Loan in accordance
with Article 15(2), point (e), or may be retained by the Union for the exclusive
purpose of supporting the repayment of the MFA Loan in the future. Any interest
accrued thereon shall also be available to support that purpose.
- 40 -
5. Where the Commission gives a negative assessment to the request for non-repayable
financial support under the Mechanism, it shall, without delay, inform Ukraine,
giving reasons for its assessment.
6. Without prejudice to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Commission may for
duly justified reasons exceptionally assess requests for payment submitted by the
bilateral lenders, in particular where the Commission has taken a decision in
accordance with Article 11(5) or where Ukraine is not in compliance with its
obligations under the ULCM Agreement.
Chapter III
Macro-financial assistance
Article 9
Availability of the Union’s exceptional macro-financial assistance
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2. The release of the MFA Loan shall be managed by the Commission on the basis of
its assessment of the precondition referred to in Article 11(1) and of the
implementation of the policy conditions included in the memorandum of
understanding referred to in Article 12(1).
3. The MFA Loan shall be available until 31 December 2024. It shall be made available
by the Commission in one instalment, which may be disbursed in one or more
tranches. The disbursement of all such tranches shall take place by 31 December
2025.
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Article 10
Amount
1. The MFA Loan shall be for a maximum amount of EUR 35 billion. However, where,
at the moment of the adoption of the Commission decision on the release of the
instalment referred to in Article 13, the sum of that maximum amount and of the
principal amount of eligible bilateral loans already approved by the Commission in
accordance with Article 6, and of the principal amount indicated in stated intentions
of third countries communicated to the Commission under the auspices of the G7
‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine’ initiative, exceed EUR 45
billion, the maximum amount of the MFA Loan shall be reduced by the value of the
excess.
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3. The MFA Loan shall have a maximum duration of 45 years.
Article 11
Precondition for support
1. A precondition for granting the MFA Loan shall be that Ukraine continue to uphold
and respect effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary
system and the rule of law, and to guarantee respect for human rights, including the
rights of persons belonging to minorities.
2. The Commission services and the European External Action Service shall monitor
the fulfilment of the precondition set out in paragraph 1, in particular before the
instalment is released and tranches are disbursed, taking, as appropriate, duly into
account the Commission’s regular enlargement report. The Commission shall take
into account the relevant recommendations of international bodies, such as the
Council of Europe and its Venice Commission, in that process. The Commission
shall inform the Council of the fulfilment of the precondition set out in paragraph 1
before the instalment is released and before tranches are disbursed to Ukraine.
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3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall apply in accordance with Decision
2010/427/EU.
5. Where the Commission finds that the precondition set out in paragraph 1 of this
Article has not been met or is no longer met, it shall suspend disbursements of the
MFA Loan and the release of non-repayable support under the Mechanism referred
to in Article 8 as it pertains to the MFA Loan.
Article 12
Memorandum of Understanding
1. The Commission shall agree with Ukraine on policy conditions to which the MFA
Loan is to be linked. Those policy conditions shall be set out in a memorandum of
understanding (MoU).
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2. The policy conditions in the MoU shall be consistent with the qualitative and
quantitative steps contained in the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1447
and any amendments thereto. The policy conditions in the MoU shall additionally
include a commitment to promote cooperation with the Union on the recovery,
reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine’s defence industry, in line with the
objectives of Union programmes aiming at the recovery, reconstruction and
modernisation of the Ukraine Defence Technological and Industrial Base and other
relevant Union programmes.
3. The Commission shall approve the signature of the MoU and of its amendments by
means of implementing acts. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 16(2).
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Article 13
Decision on release
1. Ukraine shall submit a request for funds ahead of the release of the instalment,
accompanied by a report in accordance with the provisions of the MoU.
2. The Commission shall decide on the release of the instalment subject to its
assessment of the following requirements:
(a) compliance with the precondition set out in Article 11(1); and
(b) the satisfactory fulfilment of the policy conditions set out in the MoU.
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Article 14
Borrowing and lending operations
1. In order to finance the MFA Loan, the Commission shall be empowered, on behalf of
the Union, to borrow the necessary funds on the capital markets or from financial
institutions in accordance with Article 224 of the Financial Regulation.
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3. Amounts suspended in accordance with Article 11(5) of this Regulation shall be
available, to the extent necessary, to support the repayment of Union borrowing
operations. The use of such resources in that manner shall not release Ukraine from
its liability to repay the MFA Loan in accordance with the terms of the MFA Loan
Agreement.
Article 15
MFA Loan Agreement
1. The detailed financial terms of the MFA Loan shall be laid down in the MFA Loan
Agreement.
2. In addition to the elements laid down in Article 223(4) of the Financial Regulation,
the MFA Loan Agreement shall require that:
(a) the rights, responsibilities and obligations provided for in the framework
agreement under the Ukraine Facility referred to in Article 9 of Regulation
(EU) 2024/792 apply to the MFA Loan Agreement and the funds therein;
(b) Ukraine utilise the same management and control systems as proposed in the
Ukraine Plan established under Regulation (EU) 2024/792;
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(c) it be ensured that the Union is entitled to early repayment of the MFA Loan
where it has been established that, in relation to the management of the MFA
Loan, Ukraine has engaged in any act of fraud or corruption or any other illegal
activity detrimental to the financial interests of the Union;
(d) Ukraine continue to respect the precondition set out in Article 11(1);
(e) the excess amount referred to in Article 8(4) may be used in full or in part for
the early repayment of the MFA Loan at the initiative of the Commission or,
subject to the approval of the Commission, upon request of Ukraine; and
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(f) detailed arrangements for repayment be defined, based on a waterfall structure
where:
(i) non-repayable support under the Mechanism made available for the MFA
Loan authorised in accordance with Article 8 is used to directly repay the
MFA Loan;
(iii) if the amounts referred to in points (i) and (ii) are insufficient, in the
event of an agreement being reached to provide Ukraine with war
reparations or any equivalent financial settlement of war damages,
Ukraine shall use such resources for the servicing of the MFA Loan; and
(iv) if the amounts referred to in points (i), (ii) and (iii) are insufficient,
Ukraine shall remain liable for any remaining amount due under the
MFA Loan.
3. Non-compliance with the terms of the MFA Loan Agreement shall constitute a
ground for the Commission to suspend or cancel the release of the instalment or
tranches or, where warranted, to demand early repayment of the MFA Loan.
4. The MFA Loan Agreement shall be made available, upon request, simultaneously to
the European Parliament and to the Council.
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Article 16
Committee procedure
Chapter IV
Final provisions
Article 17
Information to the European Parliament and to the Council
1. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of
developments regarding the implementation of this Regulation, including
disbursements under the Mechanism and the MFA Loan, and shall provide those
institutions with the relevant documents in due time. That information shall be
provided in accordance with the interinstitutional arrangements agreed under the
Ukraine Facility, including the Ukraine Facility Dialogue.
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2. By 30 June of each year, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament
and to the Council a report on the implementation of this Regulation in the preceding
year, including an evaluation of that implementation. That report shall:
(b) assess the economic situation and prospects of Ukraine, as well as progress
made in implementing the policy conditions referred to in Article 12(1).
Where appropriate, in particular after the MFA Loan and all eligible bilateral loan
agreements have expired, the Commission shall include in the report referred to in
the first subparagraph a review of the adequacy of the arrangements contained in this
Regulation.
3. By 31 December 2027, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and
to the Council an ex post evaluation report, assessing the results and efficiency of the
completed MFA Loan provided under this Regulation and the extent to which it has
contributed to the aims of the assistance.
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Article 18
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the
Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at ...,
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