EU financial aid reform includes 8 of the 10 points of the 'Kachka-Kos' plan

EU reform requirements for Ukraine funding

Under the updated EU Ukraine Facility program, Ukraine has committed to 26 new reform steps to receive funding. A significant portion targets anti-corruption, including 8 of the 10 points of the so-called 'Kachka-Kos' plan — a priority list of reforms used by EU capitals to assess Ukraine's readiness in rule of law and anti-corruption.

Specific steps: by the end of September, parliament must adopt an anti-corruption strategy until 2030, and the government must approve a corresponding program. This deadline has been shifted by a quarter (from the original end of June). For this step, Ukraine will receive €390 million.

Additionally, the EU is ready to allocate €550 million for restoring competitions for prosecutors in the Prosecutor General's Office and regional prosecutor's offices by the end of 2026. Currently, Prosecutor General Kravchenko manages this process manually.

Smaller amounts are foreseen for: – Comprehensive amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (point 1 of the plan); – NABU's access to an impartial institution for forensic examination (point 2); – Reform of the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) (point 5); – Restoring independent experts in the selection of members of the High Qualification Commission (point 7). All these have a deadline by the end of 2026.

Furthermore, points 6 and 10 are likely added, concerning the appointment of Constitutional Court judges and High Council of Justice members who passed international vetting, and strengthening internal anti-corruption controls in several state institutions.

Overall, the 'value' of these reforms for Ukraine's budget (or the cost of avoiding them) is approaching €2 billion.

Earlier, it was reported that the revision of Ukraine Facility rules would allow Ukraine not to lose funds despite incomplete fulfillment of last year's indicator on filling vacancies in the High Anti-Corruption Court. The government also stated that all conditions are now linked to European integration.