The European Union has approved a 90 billion euro loan (about $100 billion) for Ukraine, with final approval expected by April 23, 2025, according to VOA. This marks a key step in supporting Ukraine’s defense and broader European security, as outlined by El Mundo.

Obstacles and Compromises

Initially approved in December 2024 by the European Council, the loan faced delays due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary, in particular, conditioned its approval on the repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline, a vital infrastructure for transporting Russian oil through Ukraine, as reported by El Mundo and VOA. Hungary’s Prime Minister. Viktor Orbán. Had previously pledged not to block the loan as long as Hungary did not have to guarantee it — However, the need for a budgetary adjustment requiring unanimity allowed Hungary to delay the process until the pipeline was repaired.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the pipeline’s completion on April 21, 2025, which resolved the issue and allowed Hungary and Slovakia to lift their objections; Hungary’s MOL energy company confirmed that oil transport via the pipeline would resume by April 23, 2025, according to VOA.

Sanctions and Political Shifts

Alongside the loan, EU ambassadors also approved the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which had previously been blocked by Hungary and Slovakia. The sanctions package, proposed by the European Commission on February 6, 2025, includes restrictions on Russian maritime oil shipments, additional sanctions on Russian energy and banking sectors, and measures to prevent sensitive goods from reaching Russia, as noted by elDiario.es and VOA.

This decision coincides with political changes in Hungary. Peter Múez, the pro-European leader of the opposition, won a decisive victory in the April 12 election, ending Orbán’s 16-year rule. Múez has pledged to restore relations with the EU and NATO, according to VOA.Implementation and Timeline

The loan will be funded through EU-issued debt in the financial markets and is intended to support Ukraine’s military and financial needs in 2026 and 2027, as reported by VOA. The European Commission has already worked on the necessary procedures to ensure the first disbursement can occur in the second quarter of 2025.

Cyprus, currently the EU’s rotating president, stated that the 27 member states plan to officially approve both the loan and the sanctions package by April 23, 2025. This would allow the first installment to reach Ukraine shortly thereafter.