Brussels — The European Commission is set to unveil a new financial initiative aimed at supporting EU regions most affected by the war in Ukraine. The EastInvest Facility,
launching tomorrow, is designed to simplify access to loans and advisory support for EU Member States bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
This initiative lies at the heart of the EU’s recently adopted strategy for its eastern regions, which seeks to mitigate economic disruptions caused by Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
A dedicated platform for Eastern Europe
The EastInvest Facility will operate as a dedicated financing platform for eastern EU regions, uniting major international financial institutions. Partners include the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Nordic Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and national promotional banks from nine Member States: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.
The platform aims to ease access for public and private project promoters to funding and advisory services. It is projected to mobilize at least €28 billion in combined private and public investments, fueling economic growth, trade development, and regional security.
Coordinated efforts for maximum impact
By establishing a dedicated platform, the EU seeks to improve coordination among investors and ensure complementary interventions in eastern border regions. EastInvest will also guide local authorities in identifying investment opportunities aligned with regional development strategies.
The facility will target projects addressing economic resilience, infrastructure development, and social cohesion, ensuring investments directly respond to the needs of communities impacted by border disruptions and trade restrictions due to the conflict.
High-level launch event in Brussels
The launch event, hosted by European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, will feature the signing of the Facility’s declaration of intent by the EIB and other participating institutions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will open the event, which will bring together high-level representatives from the nine participating countries, including Prime Ministers Kristen Michal (Estonia), Inga Ruginienė (Lithuania), Evika Siliņa (Latvia), and Ilie Bolojan (Romania), as well as EIB President Nadia Calviño.
The discussions will focus on strategies to foster prosperity, economic resilience, and security in the EU’s eastern border regions.
Context: supporting regions on the frontline
Regions bordering Russia and Belarus have borne the brunt of economic and social disruptions stemming from the Ukraine war. Trade impediments, population shifts, and the broader effects of sanctions have challenged local economies.
The European Commission has responded with political, technical, and financial support, targeting infrastructure, defense, employment, and economic resilience. The February 18, 2026 Communication outlines coordinated measures, including initiatives such as Eastern Flank Watch and European Drone Defence, while leveraging local assets like Baltic electricity networks and hydrogen resources. Programs to improve connectivity, digital infrastructure, and education-to-employment pathways are also part of the strategy, alongside community-focused efforts such as the Media Resilience Programme.
By combining international finance, local expertise, and EU-level coordination, the EastInvest Facility represents a significant step toward sustainable development and security for the Union’s eastern frontiers. Photo by Grzegorz W. Tężycki, Wikimedia commons.