This Week in Defence — Brussels (#15, 2026)
EU adopts 20th sanctions package against Russia; €90bn Ukraine defence loan moves forward; Parliament committees issue draft opinions on defence competitiveness and space resilience.
April 19, 2026 to April 25, 2026
EU adopts 20th sanctions package against Russia; €90bn Ukraine defence loan moves forward; Parliament committees issue draft opinions on defence competitiveness and space resilience.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📝 EP Motions & Questions
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
EU advances 20th sanctions package targeting Russian defence and energy sectors
The European Commission on 22 April detailed the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia, introducing additional listings covering individuals and entities involved in Russia's energy and military sectors. The measures include 36 new designations across oil exploration, extraction, refining, and transportation, as well as steps to limit the 'shadow fleet' used to circumvent oil export bans. The package adds 58 companies and individuals in the Russian military-industrial complex, with a particular focus on drone and weapons systems. For the first time, the EU activated an anti-circumvention tool targeting the Kyrgyz Republic over re-export of high-risk goods to Russia, including machine tools and telecommunications equipment used in defence manufacturing. The sanctions extend to additional financial institutions and cryptocurrency platforms. Import and export restrictions now cover metals, minerals, chemicals, and dual-use items, and a quota for ammonia imports is introduced. New legal protections shield EU operators from Russian retaliation and abusive claims. The package also addresses Russian disinformation and bars EU acceptance of Russian research grants.
EU and US launch strategic partnership on critical minerals
On 23 April, the European Commission and US officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding and agreed on an EU-US Critical Minerals Action Plan, formalising a strategic partnership for critical minerals supply chains. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the agreement in Washington DC. The plan encompasses exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling, and includes cooperation on standards, investment, research, and rapid response to supply disruptions. It builds on commitments from the February 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial and follows the Joint Statement of 21 August 2025. Both sides intend to coordinate internationally, including within the G7 and FORGE.
Commission approves €411 million Croatian capital injection into HBOR, including defence industry support
On 19 April, the Commission approved Croatia's €411 million capital injection into the national development bank HBOR, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility and assessed under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU. HBOR's expanded remit will support SMEs, infrastructure, and renewable energy projects, with explicit reference to developing the defence industry. The Commission found the measure necessary, proportionate, and limited to market failures, with safeguards to prevent distortion of competition and crowding out of private sector operators.
Joint statement by EU and Ukraine leaders on €90bn Ukraine support loan and new sanctions
On 23 April, European Council President António Costa, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a joint statement welcoming the adoption of a €90 billion support loan for Ukraine for 2026-27. The loan will address Ukraine's budgetary and defence needs, with the first disbursement expected in the second quarter. The statement also welcomed the 20th sanctions package against Russia and called for further pressure on Moscow. The leaders commended Ukraine's progress on EU accession and legislative reforms and noted the upcoming High-Level Meeting on the Return of Ukrainian Children.
Statement by President von der Leyen on Ukraine defence loan and drones package
On 22 April, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the near-completion of the €90 billion loan to Ukraine, with a first tranche of €45 billion for 2026 expected to be disbursed within the quarter. One-third is allocated to budgetary needs, and two-thirds to defence, beginning with a package of Ukrainian drones. Von der Leyen emphasised the coordinated adoption of the new sanctions package as Europe’s response to Russia’s continued aggression.
EU Council
European Council informal meeting discusses geopolitical environment and EU financial framework
EU leaders met informally in Cyprus on 23 April to discuss Europe's response to the current geopolitical situation and developments regarding the next multiannual financial framework.
EP Motions & Questions
Renew Group tables resolution on EU support for democratic resilience in Armenia
On 24 April, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew) tabled a motion for a resolution (B10-0196/2026) addressing foreign interference and hybrid threats to Armenia's June 2026 parliamentary elections, referencing the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia and calling for stronger EU support on disinformation and cyber resilience.
PPE Group tables resolution on Armenia’s democratic resilience and security cooperation
On 24 April, Miriam Lexmann and colleagues (PPE) submitted a motion for a resolution (B10-0199/2026) supporting Armenia’s EU accession process, reforms, and the new EU Partnership Mission, with emphasis on countering Russian interference and supporting regional security.
Verts/ALE Group tables resolution on hybrid threats to Armenia’s democracy
On 24 April, Markéta Gregorová (Verts/ALE) tabled a motion (B10-0195/2026) focusing on foreign information manipulation, cyberattacks, and the need for robust, long-term resilience of Armenia’s democratic institutions, referencing the EU’s civilian missions.
EP Committee Work
CONT committee opinion on European Competitiveness Fund regulation, including defence research and innovation
On 24 April, the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) issued its opinion on the Commission proposal COM(2025)0555 for a regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), which includes a specific programme for defence research and innovation. Rapporteur Ondřej Knotek called for enhanced transparency, accountability, and auditability across all ECF implementation modes, with amendments requiring reinforced controls for financial instruments, budgetary guarantees, and blended operations. The opinion addresses the need for safeguards on double funding, geographical balance, and traceability of funds, as well as provisions related to defence research and industrial competitiveness.
IMCO committee opinion on regulation for safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities
On 21 April, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) issued its opinion on the proposed regulation COM(2025)0335 concerning the safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities in the Union. Rapporteur François Kalfon recommended harmonised rules to support a single market for space, referencing the need to address fragmentation in space governance and to support SMEs in the sector. The opinion calls for clear rules for operators, the creation of a Space Sector Competitiveness Support Helpdesk, and coordination with the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS) and European Space Agency (ESA).
SEDE subcommittee draft opinion on European prosperity and security fund (2028-2034)
On 20 April, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) published a draft opinion on the proposed regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034. Rapporteur Ana Catarina Mendes addressed the fund's potential to support EU strategic autonomy, resilience, and defence industrial capacity.
AFET committee report on recommendations for the EU at the 81st UN General Assembly, with security policy focus
On 20 April, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted a report (A-10-2026-0103) with recommendations to the Council, Commission, and High Representative for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Rapporteur Andrey Kovatchev addressed strengthening the rules-based order, supporting UN reforms, and reinforcing the EU's role in peace and security, non-proliferation, sanctions, and crisis management. The report calls for greater EU engagement in peacekeeping, support for Ukraine, and the integration of defence and crisis response in multilateral affairs.
ITRE committee draft report on European Competitiveness Fund regulation and defence innovation
On 20 April, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) published a draft report on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), including specific programmes for defence research and innovation. Rapporteur Christian Ehler examined the consolidation of funding for industrial competitiveness and defence R&D, addressing governance, transparency, and synergies with other EU programmes.
What We're Reading This Week
- 71 years without a military strategy, Germany just wrote one: Germany unveils its first formal military strategy, signaling a major shift in defense policy after decades of postwar restraint.
- More spending, less Brussels: Inside the French far right’s defense plans: France’s far right proposes boosting defense budgets while reducing cooperation with EU defense initiatives and Brussels oversight.
- Russian Su-57 warplanes sidelined, as bomb effectiveness drops (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,518): Russia's advanced Su-57 jets are reportedly grounded, while Ukrainian defenses reduce the impact of Russian aerial bomb attacks.
- Video. Ukraine: Russian strike on Odesa kills 2, hits hospitals and schools overnight: A Russian missile attack on Odesa overnight killed two people and damaged multiple hospitals and schools, Ukrainian officials report.
- Video. Russian soldiers must be banned from Schengen ‘for life’, Estonia says: Estonia urges a permanent Schengen entry ban on Russian soldiers, citing security concerns amid ongoing regional tensions.
