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Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2024/1490 31.5.2024
Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and Ukraine on the
suspension of Ukraine’s payment obligations for its participation in all Union programmes as of
1 January 2021
A. Letter from the Ukrainian Government
Dear President von der Leyen,
Ukraine expresses its heartfelt gratitude for the unprecedented support and financial assistance provided by the European
Union (EU) throughout these trying times for our country. We appreciate the measures the European Commission under
your leadership has taken to assist Ukraine since the start of the Russian Federation’s full-scale war of aggression.
Even amid the challenges of war, significant progress has been made following Ukraine’s application to join the EU.
Additionally, Ukraine does its best to further extend the scope of its participation in the EU programmes under the current
EU multiannual financial framework 2021–2027.
It is noteworthy that participation in the EU programmes plays a major role in advancing Ukraine’s integration into the EU.
In fact, such participation helps Ukraine develop its institutional and infrastructural capacity as well as to efficiently
contribute to engaging key Ukrainian governmental agencies, public and private sector entities, NGOs and experts in
interaction with European partners and policies amid the turmoil of the Russian Federation’s brutal war.
At this stage, Ukraine has joined eight EU programmes. Notably, the evidence of progress in this area in 2022 is Ukraine’s
association to Customs, Fiscalis, LIFE, EU4Health, Horizon Europe and the Euratom Research and Training Programme, as
well as with Digital Europe Programme, which is a solid step towards the Digital Single Market. In 2021, Ukraine became
part of the EU’s Creative Europe Programme.
It is with deep appreciation that I extend the Ukrainian Government’s gratitude to you and to the European Commission for
provisionally approving a full exemption from the contributions for Ukraine’s participation in the EU programmes for
2021 and 2022.
In 2023, Ukraine is set to step up its efforts to join six additional EU programmes. Specifically, we are going to conclude
agreements to associate Ukraine to the following EU programmes: Single Market (SMP), Citizens, Equality, Rights and
Values (CERV), Justice (JUST) and Anti-Fraud (UAFP). Moreover, we also intend to join the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
to expand the capacities of the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes to secure the majority of Ukrainian agricultural and non-
agricultural exports. Lastly, we also intend to join the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and EU Space Program.
For this purpose, we would like to solicit your support in Ukraine’s joining the above EU programmes still this year.
Given the prolongation of the war and the extent of its financial consequences, it is impossible to comply with Ukraine’s
financial obligations stemming from the participation in EU Programmes. Accordingly, the Government of Ukraine would
like to kindly request your support in considering a suspension of the obligations related to the financial contributions for
Ukraine’s participation in the EU programmes in 2021 and following years of the current EU multiannual financial
framework. A positive decision in relation to this matter will allow us to maintain Ukraine’s resilience and plug the
financial gap that emerged due to escalating Russian aggression and critical shortages of financial resources.
At a time of turmoil, the above efforts of Ukraine on its path towards the EU would provide greater certainty to a number of
sectors along with reliable access to the European best practices, institutions, markets, financial services, investment
opportunities, and funding.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/oj 1/9EN
OJ L, 31.5.2024
I am taking this opportunity to renew my gratitude to you and to the European Commission for being at the core of
supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian Federation’s aggression.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and sincere wishes for every success in the conduct of your high
office.
I am very much looking forward to welcoming you in Kyiv on 2 and 3 February 2023 for a meeting with the Ukraine
Government and the Ukraine-EU summit.
Yours sincerely,
Denys SHMYHAL
2/9 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/ojEN
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B. Letter from the European Union
Dear Prime Minister,
I acknowledge receipt of your letter on your request to suspend Ukraine’s obligation to pay a financial contribution in the
context of its association to Union programmes. Following the unprovoked and unjustified Russian military aggression
against Ukraine and its serious financial consequences for your country, the EU fully recognises the current impossibility
for Ukraine to comply with its financial contribution obligations linked to its participation in those Union programmes.
The European Union also acknowledges the important role that these Association Agreements to the Union programmes
play in advancing the integration of Ukraine into the European Union.
Therefore, the European Union hereby agrees to Ukraine’s request and proposes to suspend Ukraine’s obligations to pay the
financial contribution for its participation in all Union programmes as of 1 January 2021 under the conditions stated
hereunder.
This suspension should apply to the provisions of the Agreements associating Ukraine to the Union programmes that are
listed in the Annex to this letter.
This suspension will remain in force unless lifted by one of the Parties.
The necessity to maintain this suspension shall be assessed on a yearly basis by the European Commission primarily based
on information provided by the Ukrainian government. If the situation on the ground has changed, the European Union
may decide to lift this suspension after notifying Ukraine of its assessment.
Before lifting the suspension, the European Union and Ukraine shall endeavour to agree on the amendment of the existing
Association Agreements to set to zero the financial contribution of Ukraine for the years that were subject to the
suspension. The termination of this Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letters shall take effect at the same time as
the entry into force of the amendment of the different Association Agreements to set the financial contribution to zero.
The European Union and Ukraine can agree that future Association Agreements concluded between them before the lifting
of this suspension and associating Ukraine to other Union programmes can be subject to the suspension as agreed in this
letter. These future Association Agreements to Union programmes shall specify the exact provisions to be suspended in
accordance with this Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letters, thus supplementing the provisions already listed in
the annex to this letter.
A Party may still decide to request termination of one of the Association Agreements covered by this suspension in
accordance with the applicable provision contained in that Association Agreement. Before the termination of the
Association Agreement takes effect, the Parties can agree to amend the Association Agreement in order to set to zero the
financial contribution of Ukraine for the years subject to the suspension.
I would be grateful if you could confirm the agreement of your Government to the above.
If the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation together constitute an Agreement between
the European Union and Ukraine. This Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letters shall enter into force on the first
day of the second month following the date of the last written notification on the fulfilment of the necessary procedures
by the Parties.
Yours faithfully,
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
President of the European Commission
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/oj 3/9EN
OJ L, 31.5.2024
ANNEX
Provisions of the Agreements associating Ukraine to certain Union programmes that are suspended
Union programmes Provisions suspended
Horizon Europe Framework Programme and Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Research and Training Programme of the
European Atomic Energy Community Article 4 “Rules for application of automatic correction mechanism to
the operational contribution of Ukraine to Horizon Europe Pro
Agreement between the European Union and gramme”
European Atomic Energy Community of the one
part and Ukraine of the other part, on the partici Article 9 (4) “Final provisions”
pation of Ukraine in Horizon Europe - the Fra
ANNEX I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
mework Programme for Research and Innovation
Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027) and to the Euratom Research
and the Research and Training Programme of the
and Training Programme (2021- 2025)”
European Atomic Energy Community
(2021-2025) complementing Horizon Europe –
the Framework Programme for Research and
Innovation
Digital Europe Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 6 (3) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in the
Digital Europe programme (2021-2027) ANNEX I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Digital Europe Programme (2021-2027)”
FISCALIS Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 5(3) “Final Provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in 'Fisca
lis', the Union programme for cooperation in the Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
field of taxation Union Fiscalis programme (2022-2027)”
CUSTOMS Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in 'Cus
toms', the Union programme for cooperation in Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
the field of customs Union Customs programme (2022-2027)”
EU4HEALTH Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the association of Ukraine to the
EU4Health Programme Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
EU4Health programme (2021-2027)”
4/9 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/ojEN
OJ L, 31.5.2024
Creative Europe Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 6 (4) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in the
Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Creative Europe programme (2021-2027)”
LIFE Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine Article 5 (5) “Final provisions”
on the participation of Ukraine in the Union pro
gramme LIFE - the Programme for the Environment and Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Climate Action LIFE programme (2021-2027)”
Single Market Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union, of the Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, on the
participation of Ukraine in the Union programme Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Single Market Programme (SMP) (2021-2027) Single Market programme (2021-2027)”
Union Civil Protection Mechanism Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union, of the Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, on the
participation of Ukraine in the Union Civil Pro Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
tection Mechanism Union Civil Protection Mechanism”
Connecting Europe Facility Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union, of the Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, on the
participation of Ukraine in the Union programme Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Connecting Europe Facility Connecting Europe Facility Programme (2021-2027)”
On behalf of the European Union,
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/oj 5/9EN
OJ L, 31.5.2024
C. Letter from the Ukrainian Government
Your Excellency
Ursula von der Leyen
The President,
European Commission
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 5 April 2023, which reads as follows:
“Dear Prime Minister,
I acknowledge receipt of your letter on your request to suspend Ukraine`s obligation to pay a financial contribution in the
context of its association to Union programmes. Following the unprovoked and unjustified Russian military aggression
against Ukraine and its serious financial consequences for your country, the EU fully recognises the current impossibility
for Ukraine to comply with its financial contribution obligations linked to its participation in those Union programmes.
The European Union also acknowledges the important role that` these Association Agreements to the Union programmes
play in advancing the integration of Ukraine into the European Union.
Therefore, the European Union hereby agrees to Ukraine`s request and proposes to suspend Ukraine`s obligations to pay the
financial contribution for its participation in all Union programmes as of 1 January 2021 under the conditions stated
hereunder.
This suspension should apply to the provisions of the Agreements associating Ukraine to the Union programmes that are
listed in the Annex to this letter.
This suspension will remain in force unless lifted by one of the Parties.
The necessity to maintain this suspension shall be assessed on a yearly on basis by the European Commission primarily
based on information provided by the Ukrainian government. If the situation on the ground has changed, the European
Union may decide to lift this suspension after notifying Ukraine of its assessment.
Before lifting the suspension, the European Union and Ukraine shall endeavour to agree on the amendment of the existing
Association Agreement to set to zero the financial contribution of Ukraine for the years that were subject to the suspension.
The termination of this Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letters shall take effect at the same time as the entry into
force of the amendment of the different Association Agreement to set the financial contribution to zero.
The European Union and Ukraine can agree that future Association Agreements concluded between them before the lifting
of this suspension and associating Ukraine to other Union programmes can be subject to the suspension as agreed in this
letter. These future Association Agreement to Union programmes shall specify the exact provisions to be suspended in
accordance with this Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letters, thus supplementing the provisions already listed in
the annex to this letter.
A Party may still decide to request termination of one of the Association Agreements covered by this suspension in
accordance with the applicable provision contained in that Association Agreement. Before the termination of the
Association Agreement takes effect, the Parties can agree to amend the Association Agreement in order to set to zero the
financial contribution of Ukraine for the years subject to the suspension.
I would be grateful if you could confirm the agreement of your Government to the above.
6/9 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/ojEN
OJ L, 31.5.2024
If the above is acceptable to the Government, this letter and your confirmation together constitute an Agreement between
the European Union and Ukraine. This Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letter shall enter into force on the first
day of the second month following the date of the last written notification on the fulfilment of the necessary procedures
by the Parties.
Yours faithfully,
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
President of the European Commission”
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/oj 7/9EN
OJ L, 31.5.2024
ANNEX
Provisions of the Agreements associating Ukraine to certain Union programmes that are suspended
Union programmes Provisions suspended
Horizon Europe Framework Programme and Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Research and Training Programme of the
European Atomic Energy Community Article 4 “Rules for application of automatic correction mechanism to
the operational contribution of Ukraine to Horizon Europe Pro
Agreement between the European Union and gramme”
European Atomic Energy Community of the one
part and Ukraine of the other part, on the partici Article 9 (4) “Final provisions”
pation of Ukraine in Horizon Europe - the Fra
ANNEX I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
mework Programme for Research and Innovation
Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027) and to the Euratom Research
and the Research and Training Programme of the
and Training Programme (2021- 2025)”
European Atomic Energy Community
(2021-2025) complementing Horizon Europe –
the Framework Programme for Research and
Innovation
Digital Europe Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 6 (3) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in the
Digital Europe programme (2021-2027) ANNEX I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Digital Europe Programme (2021-2027)”
FISCALIS Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 5(3) “Final Provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in 'Fisca
lis', the Union programme for cooperation in the Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
field of taxation Union Fiscalis programme (2022-2027)”
CUSTOMS Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in 'Cus
toms', the Union programme for cooperation in Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
the field of customs Union Customs programme (2022-2027)”
EU4HEALTH Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the association of Ukraine to the
EU4Health Programme Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
EU4Health programme (2021-2027)”
8/9 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/ojEN
OJ L, 31.5.2024
Creative Europe Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Article 6 (4) “Final provisions”
Ukraine on the participation of Ukraine in the
Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Creative Europe programme (2021-2027)”
LIFE Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine Article 5 (5) “Final provisions”
on the participation of Ukraine in the Union pro
gramme LIFE - the Programme for the Environment and Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Climate Action LIFE programme (2021-2027)”
Single Market Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union, of the Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, on the
participation of Ukraine in the Union programme Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Single Market Programme (SMP) (2021-2027) Single Market programme (2021-2027)”
Union Civil Protection Mechanism Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union, of the Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, on the
participation of Ukraine in the Union Civil Pro Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
tection Mechanism Union Civil Protection Mechanism”
Connecting Europe Facility Programme Article 3 “Financial contribution”
Agreement between the European Union, of the Article 5 (3) “Final provisions”
one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, on the
participation of Ukraine in the Union programme Annex I “Rules governing the financial contribution of Ukraine to the
Connecting Europe Facility Connecting Europe Facility Programme (2021-2027)”
I have the honour to confirm that the above is acceptable to Ukraine and that your letter and this letter constitute an
Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letter between the European Union and Ukraine, which will enter into force on
the first day of the second month following the date of the last written notification on the fulfilment of the necessary
procedures by the Parties.
Please accept, Dear President, the assurance of my highest consideration.
Denys SHMYHAL
Prime Minister of Ukraine
For Ukraine,
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1490/oj 9/9