The European Union has approved a €90bn (£78bn) loan to help Ukraine, opening a path for the UK to benefit if it helps pay borrowing costs. British companies could get more chances to supply military equipment for Ukraine if the UK agrees to a "fair" financial share. EU diplomats confirmed the UK’s clause, including financial contribution, was agreed by Monday. More EU talks are needed to finalize UK’s role and the allowed UK products for Ukraine’s military. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently hinted at restarting talks with the EU on defence cooperation. This loan is crucial for Ukraine, which faces harsh Russian attacks damaging its energy and heating amid a cold winter. EU leaders designed the loan to cover Ukraine’s funding gap in 2026 and 2027. €60bn will go to defence and €30bn to general budgets. The loan is funded by borrowing against unused EU budget funds. Ukraine must mainly buy military gear from the EU or associated countries like Norway, but can request permission to buy from others, including the US. The updated plan adds clauses to let Ukraine buy from non-EU countries with security agreements with the EU, including the UK. To qualify, such countries must provide "a fair and proportionate financial contribution" to EU borrowing costs and show strong support for Ukraine’s defence. The UK and EU signed a defence partnership last May. An EU diplomat told the Guardian: "It is natural to ask the UK to participate in interest repayment proportionally to the contracts UK firms would obtain. Otherwise EU taxpayers would be subsidising UK industry." No official figure for the UK’s contribution has been proposed yet. The loan still needs European Parliament approval, with funds expected from April. The €90bn covers two-thirds of Ukraine’s needs, with other partners expected to fill gaps. The UK government said it has already committed £21.8bn in military and fiscal support for Ukraine and remains "iron-clad" in its aid. The loan decision was backed by 24 of 27 EU members, with Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia opposing but not blocking it.