EU approves €90bn loan for Ukraine as pipeline is turned on ending deadlock
Ukraine says it has reopened the Druzhba pipeline, after months of stalemate over stalled oil supplies to neighbouring Hungary.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"Ukraine has completed repair work on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by a Russian strike."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"We must continue systematic sanctions pressure on Russia over this war and work on further diversifying energy supplies to Europe."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"Thank you, President Zelenskyy, for delivering, as agreed: repairing the Druzhba pipeline and restoring its operation."
— António Costa , Politician
"I don't want to jinx it. I hope everything goes well, because we have seen some turns in this file."
— Kaja Kallas , Politician
"If the Druzhba pipeline is in a condition to carry oil, then it should be reopened as promised."
— Péter Magyar , Politician
"I would not advise the Ukrainian president to go down that road. Not only Hungary, but Europe as a whole would reject it."
— Péter Magyar , Politician
"These align with the European Commission’s expectations."
— Péter Magyar , Politician
"Ukraine really needs this loan and it's also a sign that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine."
— Kaja Kallas , Politician
"There can be no grounds for blocking it any more."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"There is no guarantee Russia will not target the infrastructure again."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"The EU asked Ukraine to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, which had been destroyed by Russia. We have repaired it. We hope the EU will also deliver on the agreed commitments."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"The government of the Slovak Republic will not agree to a sanctions package in favour of Ukraine unless there is a genuine reopening of the Druzhba oil pipeline."
— Robert Fico , Politician
"The EU funding was called a 'matter of life and death' for Ukraine."
— Taras Kachka , Politician
"The government did not agree to this loan and is not participating in it, similar to Hungary and the Czech Republic."
— Robert Fico , Politician
"He could not hold back a chuckle during a press conference after a journalist asked about bombing a Russian Druzhba pipeline."
— Volodymyr Zelensky , Politician
"the unblocking of a €90bn European Union loan to Kyiv was 'the right signal under the current circumstances.'"
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"Ukraine against any attempts to disrupt the flow of Russian oil once the money is approved."
— Robert Fico , Politician
"once oil deliveries are restored, we will no longer stand in the way of approving the loan."
— Viktor Orbán , Politician
"By investing in clean energy and electrification, we unlock more money for our economy."
— Dan Jørgensen , Politician
"there can be no grounds for blocking the loans anymore."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"We expect an agreement in 24 hours, so I don’t want to jinx it."
— Kaja Kallas , Politician
"The EU asked Ukraine to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, which had been destroyed by Russia. We have repaired it."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Politician
"I don't want to jinx it. I hope everything goes well, because we have seen some turns in this file."
— Kaja Kallas , Politician
"We should not be making ourselves dependent on this."
— Valdis Dombrovskis , Executive
"Being gay is not a choice, but being homophobic is a choice."
— Xavier Bettel , Politician
"the first deliveries were expected in the early hours of Thursday."
— Denisa Sakova , Politician
"I would not be surprised if the 90-billion loan were unblocked and then oil supplies were cut off again."
— Robert Fico , Politician
"The EU expects to deliver the first tranche of the €90 billion loan to Ukraine by late May or early June 2026."
— Valdis Dombrovskis , Executive
"Delays could have immediate consequences."
— Andriy Sybiha , Politician
"I expected the decision to be approved this week."
— Kaja Kallas , Politician
"I assume that this loan could be unblocked, provided that all steps are taken to reopen the Druzhba pipeline."
— Robert Fico , Politician
"trust between Slovakia and Ukraine has been seriously damaged."
— Robert Fico , Politician
"I would not be surprised if the loan for Ukraine is unblocked and then, after a short time, supplies are halted again."
— Robert Fico , Politician
Key People
He is the Foreign Minister of Ukraine.
European Council President.
António Costa is the President of the European Council, representing Portugal and involved in European Union leadership.
Benjamin Netanyahu is the prime minister of Israel.
European Commissioner for Energy and Housing who called for demand-saving measures.
Denisa Sakova is the Economy Minister of Slovakia.
German Chancellor.
Giorgia Meloni is the Premier of Italy.
Prime Minister of Romania.
Kaja Kallas is the High Representative of the European Union, advocating for European cooperation and support in geopolitical matters.
President of Cyprus.
Prime Minister of Hungary.
Péter Magyar is the newly elected prime minister of Hungary.
Prime Minister of Slovakia.
Serhiy Marchenko is Ukraine's Finance Minister.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator with the EU.
Teresa Ribera is the executive vice-president for the European Commission.
Ursula von der Leyen is the president of the European Commission.
Valdis Dombrovskis is the European economy commissioner involved in trade agreements.
Prime Minister of Hungary.
Viktor Orbán is the Prime Minister of Hungary, noted for his controversial political policies and influence in Central Europe.
President of Ukraine who attended a summit in Yerevan.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine, known for his efforts to secure international support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
He is the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg.
Locations
Tags
All Coverage
Ukraine says it has reopened the Druzhba pipeline, after months of stalemate over stalled oil supplies to neighbouring Hungary.
Ukraine has completed repairs on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged by Russian drone strikes, and is preparing to resume its operation. This development is seen as key to securing a previously blocked €90 billion EU loan package intended to support Ukraine's military and economic stability.
The European Union has formally initiated the process to unblock the €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, following the restoration of the Druzhba oil pipeline. This move aims to resolve the months-long political deadlock between Kyiv and Budapest.
The European Union has provisionally approved a €90 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary signaled it would lift its long-standing veto as oil started flowing through the Druzhba pipeline again. This decision coincides with the approval of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.
European Union ambassadors are meeting in Cyprus with expectations high that a €90 billion EU loan, seen as vital support for Ukraine, can finally be paid out after months of deadlock. The funding was agreed upon last December but had been held up due to a dispute over Russian oil supplies.
The European Union has provisionally approved a €90 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary dropped its opposition following the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline. The formal procedure is expected to conclude on Thursday, ending months of political deadlock.
European Union envoys are close to approving a €90 billion ($106 billion) loan package to support Ukraine’s military and financial needs for the next two years. The approval comes after months of deadlock due to disputes over Russian oil supplies.
Ukraine has reopened the Druzhba pipeline, a move necessary to secure a €90 billion EU loan intended to support its military efforts against Russia.
The EU has approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and a new sanctions package against Russia after Hungary lifted its veto following the resumption of the Druzhba pipeline.
EU ambassadors have given preliminary approval to unblock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, with Hungary expected to provide final approval after the resumption of the Druzhba pipeline.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expresses concerns that the Druzhba pipeline may halt after the EU approves a €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
EU ambassadors have backed the approval process for a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, alongside the bloc’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, after the Druzhba pipeline resumed oil deliveries.
European Union ambassadors have approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine along with a new sanctions package against Russia, following the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline.
The EU has provisionally approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary lifted its opposition, following the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline.
The flow of Russian oil to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline has resumed after a three-month halt, unblocking a crucial €90 billion EU financial aid package for Ukraine.
Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar suggested that Ukraine should reopen the Druzhba pipeline if it is operational, as Brussels prepares for Hungary to lift its veto over a crucial financial loan for Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Druzhba oil pipeline has been repaired and is ready to resume operations, potentially unlocking a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
EU ambassadors are meeting in Cyprus with high expectations that the EU's €90 billion loan, seen as vital support for Ukraine, can finally be paid out after months of deadlock. The funding was agreed upon last December but had been held up due to a dispute over Russian oil supplies.
The EU is poised to approve a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary's political change and the resumption of the Druzhba pipeline's operation.
The resumption of Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline enables Hungary to lift its veto, allowing the EU to approve a €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
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