Brussels, April 21, 2026 – The Europe Today: European Union ambassadors are expected to approve a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine as early as Wednesday, contingent on the restoration of Russian oil transit to Hungary, according to diplomatic sources.
The proposal has been placed on the agenda by the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, signaling growing optimism among member states that a consensus can be reached. Diplomats indicated that if oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline resume in time, Hungary is likely to withdraw its opposition, clearing the way for approval.
Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stated that Budapest would lift its veto once oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline—disrupted following damage caused by a Russian strike earlier this year—is restored.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently announced that repairs to the pipeline are expected to be completed by the end of the month, though diplomats suggest flows could resume sooner, potentially ahead of the scheduled EU meeting.
If approved, the financial package would be disbursed to Kyiv as early as May, providing critical support to Ukraine’s economy as it continues to endure the prolonged impact of the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The loan had initially been agreed upon in December but was blocked by Hungary in February amid a dispute over delays in repairing the Druzhba pipeline. Orbán had accused Kyiv of slowing the restoration process in response to Hungary’s political stance toward Russia.
However, developments following Hungary’s recent election—where opposition leader Péter Magyar secured victory—appear to have shifted the political landscape, with renewed commitments from Kyiv to expedite repairs.
Once Hungary formally lifts its veto, the European Commission will proceed with technical assessments before releasing the funds, a process expected to take several weeks.
