Europe has sent a very strong signal of solidarity to Ukraine, the Taoiseach has said, after EU leaders agreed a €90bn loan to meet urgent financial needs. However, Micheál Martin said it was "disappointing at a certain level" that EU leaders failed to agree on the preferred option for many of securing that loan against Russia’s frozen assets in the EU. "In the context of this loan from the EU to Ukraine, Ukraine will not have to repay the loan until Russia pays reparations and facilitates the reconstruction of Ukraine itself. In my view, the entire reconstruction of Ukraine is an enormous programme of work ahead." Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Europe minister Thomas Byrne arriving for the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Source: Irish Examiner December 19, 2025 16:48 UTC