The Commission disburses €3.5 billion as part of the Ukraine Facility
The European Commission continues to support Ukraine with a third regular payment of nearly €3.5 billion as part of the Ukraine Facility. This funding, under the first pillar of the EUs Ukraine Facility, aims to enhance Ukraines macro-financial stability, support public administration, and advance key long-term reforms. With todays disbursement, total EU support to Ukraine under the Facility reaches approximately €19.6 billion, which accounts for more than half of the funding provided under the Ukraine Plan since its inception on March 1, 2024.
Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated: “I commend Ukraines determination to move forward with crucial, EU-focused reforms while defending itself against Russias war of aggression. Creating a more enabling business environment and improving policies in transport and agriculture will facilitate Ukraines recovery, reconstruction, and progress towards EU membership. This brings the total disbursements under the first pillar of the Ukraine Facility to nearly EUR 20 billion in budget support, demonstrating the EUs commitment to stand with Ukraine”.
Following Ukraines payment request, the Council approved on March 17 the Commissions assessment that Ukraine satisfactorily fulfilled the thirteen reform indicators linked to this third regular quarterly payment. Key reforms for this payment cover transport, agriculture, and finance, as well as proposals such as the adoption of the state ownership policy.
This third regular payment under the Facility showcases Ukraines commitment to implementing ambitious reforms under the Ukraine Plan. Ukraine will receive up to €50 billion in grants and loans for the period 2024-2027 under the Ukraine Facility. The EU remains the largest donor with total assistance of nearly €143 billion.
More details can be found online.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 460 75 53 11; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 460 76 57 13)
Commission proposes flexibility to help manufacturers meet the 2025 CO2 targets for new cars and vans
The Commission today proposed a targeted amendment to the regulation establishing CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans. The amendment introduces a flexibility measure for their CO2 emission targets between 2025 and 2027.
This proposal was announced as part of the Commissions industrial action plan for the European automotive sector, adopted on March 5, 2025. It followed the strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry launched by President von der Leyen on January 30, 2025.
President von der Leyen declared: «Our highly innovative automotive industry is decarbonizing to contribute to the fight against climate change while maintaining its competitive edge in global markets. With todays initiative, we provide more flexibility to this essential sector while keeping the course of our climate objectives. Together, we want to prove that decarbonization and competitiveness can go hand in hand.»
The proposed flexibility measure allows manufacturers to assess compliance with the CO2 targets for 2025, 2026, and 2027 over the entire three-year period by averaging their performance, rather than annually. This approach enables manufacturers to offset annual excessive emissions by exceeding the target in the remaining years.
This additional flexibility will help preserve the industrys capacity to invest in the clean transition while maintaining the 2025 target and keeping the industry on track for the next set of emission reductions.
More details are available in our press release online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)
Commission proposes broader, faster EU social and employment funds
Member States will be able to invest more easily in skills for Europes strategic sectors including the defense industry, the green transition, and automotive, as well as regions affected by Russias unjustified aggression against Ukraine, thanks to the new amendments proposed by the Commission.
With the proposed changes, when Member States decide to use ESF+ funds in these areas, they can benefit from immediate financial injection and further flexibilities. The new rules will make it easier for Member States to adjust their programs and shift planned ESF+ resources towards these new priorities. In addition, the proposal also introduces specific financial support for regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, including increased pre-financing and the possibility for the EU to fully finance ESF+ projects in these areas, acknowledging the lasting social and economic impact of Russias war of aggression.
The Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, said: “Exceptional times require smarter, faster support for workers. With these proposals, we are giving Member States more flexibility to invest in skills where they are most needed and helping workers at risk of losing their jobs to get support earlier. Whether facing the consequences of industrial change or decarbonization, Europes people and regions must be equipped to adapt and prosper. This is crucial for making Europes economy more competitive, resilient, and socially inclusive.”
The ESF+ is the EUs main instrument for investing in people, with a budget of €95.8 billion for 2021-2027. Together with other EU funds, it supports the Union of Skills - the EUs strategy to improve high-quality education, training, and lifelong learning.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 229-88433; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 291 32 83)