EU to give Ukraine €1.4 billion earned from frozen Russian assets
European Commission says €1.4 billion in interest from frozen Russian assets will be given to Ukraine; funds transferred to the EU on 3 August 2026.
The European Commission announced on 5 August 2026 that it will make available €1.4 billion in interest earned on frozen Russian assets to assist Ukraine.
The funds, transferred into the Union on 3 August 2026, derive from interest on a portion of the Russian central bank's assets that the EU froze after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the Commission said.
How the money will be presented
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen framed the move as using returns from blocked Russian resources to respond to damage caused by Russia. She said: "Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused. And we are using the proceeds from blocked Russian assets to ensure that."
Von der Leyen added a second statement specifying the amount and its purpose: "And we are making an additional €1.4 billion available to Ukraine. This will support Ukraine's continuing resistance against Russia's illegal war," she said.
The Commission said the decision reflects a broader EU effort to channel income from frozen Russian holdings toward Ukraine’s immediate needs. Officials described the payment as part of ongoing financial measures tied to the frozen assets.
Details on how the €1.4 billion will be distributed within Ukraine or which ministries and programmes will receive direct support were not specified in the Commission's announcement on 5 August 2026.
Photo: press material from the event
