Ukraine risks losing €250 million in EU aid due to lack of Zelensky's decision

Ukraine has until approximately September 17 to fulfill the condition of the Ukraine Facility program, under which Kyiv receives aid in exchange for reforms, and not lose about €250 million in funding from the European Union, according to Європейська правда.

Ukraine had earlier committed to appoint around two dozen new judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) and complete their appointment by the end of the first quarter of 2025. For fulfilling this indicator, the EU earmarked €280 million for the Ukrainian budget.

However, the initial deadline was later extended. Under Ukraine Facility rules, if the commitment is not fulfilled within the set deadline, Ukraine receives an additional year to complete it. After that, there is another period to finalize the procedure.

If the condition is still not met, the funds may be lost irrevocably.

According to sources of "EP", the final countdown has already begun, and Ukraine currently has less than a month – approximately until September 17.

Meanwhile, the European Union tried to delay as much as possible the moment when this final deadline would start ticking. In particular, it is noted that in the summer, the Ukrainian report remained unconsidered for a long time, which allowed not to start the countdown of the final period.

Ukraine has already completed the main part of the selection procedure for HACC judges. The High Qualification Commission of Judges submitted to the president a proposal for the appointment of 17 judges, while procedures for two more candidates are ongoing. The only thing left is the decision of President Volodymyr Zelensky to appoint them to the HACC.

Formally, the indicator provides for the appointment of 20 judges. However, Ukraine Facility rules allow crediting the fulfillment of the condition even if there are 17 proposals, if the relevant decrees are signed by the president. In case of partial fulfillment, the EU may also proportionally reduce the payment amount, but even then it would be about €250 million.

As reported, during a visit to Kyiv in early June, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos warned lawmakers about the possible loss of funding.

However, after that, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a controversial "European integration" project on judicial reform.