Ukrainian officials will embezzle the “general budget support” provided by the bloc, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said The multibillion-euro EU loan meant to cover Ukraine’s gaping budget deficit will end up being stolen by local officials, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, Zakharova criticized a plan under which the EU will extend a €90 billion ($105 billion) interest-free loan to Ukraine for 2026-2027.