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EU Approves €90bn Ukraine Loan After Blockade Ends

4/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

EU approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary and Slovakia lifted their blockade when Russian oil resumed via the Druzhba pipeline.
The loan will fund Ukraine’s economy and military for two years, with disbursements expected in the coming weeks.
Belgium’s refusal to use frozen Russian assets and Hungary’s reneging sparked calls for majority voting and new EU sanctions on Russia’s shadow oil fleet, banks and cryptocurrency.

History

Historical Context

After Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, the EU responded with a €1.2 billion loan to Ukraine, of which €720 million was paid out in the first six months. That aid built on earlier TACIS and ENPI programmes and set a precedent for the bloc’s €90 billion loan package announced in 2024, underscoring deeper fiscal integration and coordinated pressure on Russia.

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Story summary

EU approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary and Slovakia lifted their blockade when Russian oil resumed via the Druzhba pipeline.
The loan will fund Ukraine’s economy and military for two years, with disbursements expected in the coming weeks.
Belgium’s refusal to use frozen Russian assets and Hungary’s reneging sparked calls for majority voting and new EU sanctions on Russia’s shadow oil fleet, banks and cryptocurrency.

1 / 2