The European Union has moved forward with a long-delayed €90bn (£78bn) loan package for Ukraine after the resumption of Russian oil transit through a కీల pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, ending months of political deadlock.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that oil has begun flowing again via the Druzhba pipeline, following repairs to infrastructure damaged in earlier Russian attacks. The restart of supplies was a key condition set by Hungary’s outgoing prime minister Viktor Orbán, who had vetoed the loan in February.
Shortly after the النفط flow resumed, EU ambassadors in Brussels gave preliminary approval to the funding package, alongside a 20th round of sanctions against Russia. Final approval is expected at an informal EU summit in Cyprus on Thursday.
The loan, initially agreed in December, is seen as critical financial and military support for Kyiv. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka described it as “a matter of life and death,” with around two-thirds of the funds earmarked for defence and the remainder for broader economic assistance.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the agreement sends a strong signal of continued European backing. “Ukraine really needs this loan and it’s also a sign that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine,” she stated.
Hungary’s অবস্থান shifted following the recent election defeat of Orbán, ending his 16-year tenure. Incoming leader Péter Magyar has indicated a willingness to reset relations with Brussels, helping to ease tensions that had stalled the সিদ্ধান্ত.
Energy operators in Slovakia and Hungary confirmed that pipeline চাপ বৃদ্ধি has begun, with crude oil expected to reach Slovakia by Thursday. Hungarian energy firm Mol also said it anticipates receiving supplies within the same timeframe.
The dispute had intensified earlier this year when Ukraine halted oil transit after infrastructure damage, prompting Orbán to accuse Kyiv of imposing an “oil blockade.” However, Ukrainian authorities maintained that repairs were delayed due to continued Russian strikes.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has also targeted Russian energy infrastructure, including facilities linked to the Druzhba pipeline, highlighting the broader energy যুদ্ধ surrounding the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the breakthrough, noting that Kyiv had fulfilled EU conditions by restoring the pipeline. He urged European leaders to follow through on their commitments.
Zelensky also held discussions with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa to ensure the loan’s approval moves forward without further বাধা.
Despite the agreement, Ukrainian media reports suggest it could still take several weeks before the funds are fully disbursed to Kyiv.