Czech, Slovak and Hungarian firms to join EU defence contracts for Ukraine loan

Companies from Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary will be allowed to take part in defence contracts financed by an EU loan for Ukraine, despite the three countries refusing to guarantee the €90 billion loan, diplomatic and EU sources told Czech Press Agency. The European Commission decided the contracts must remain open to firms from across the EU and Ukraine to avoid distorting the bloc’s internal market. EU leaders approved the loan for 2026–27 after failing to agree on using frozen Russian assets. Ukraine will be able to use up to €60 billion for defence investments and military purchases.