KYIV: The European Union has announced it will withhold €1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine over concerns about governance and corruption—delivering a sharp rebuke to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, once seen as a trusted partner in the bloc’s efforts to support Kyiv during its war with Russia.
The frozen funds are part of a larger €4.5 billion non-military aid package, disbursed based on Ukraine’s progress in meeting governance and anti-corruption benchmarks. The EU stated that the funding could still be restored if Ukraine fulfills the required reforms.
The decision marks a significant political setback for Zelensky, who is relying heavily on European financial assistance to offset the Trump administration’s ongoing refusal to commit U.S. funds to Ukraine’s war effort.
The move came at the end of a turbulent week for the Ukrainian president. Zelensky initially faced backlash after pushing legislation through parliament that undermined the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies—triggering Ukraine’s first anti-government protests since Russia’s 2022 invasion and drawing concern from international partners.
In response to the public and diplomatic pressure, Zelensky reversed course and introduced new legislation aimed at restoring the agencies’ independence. While the move helped defuse street protests, it was not enough to prevent the EU from delaying the aid.
Zelensky has not publicly commented on the EU’s decision. However, the aid freeze underscores growing international frustration over Ukraine’s domestic governance issues at a time when its financial and military support from the West faces increasing uncertainty.
