Hungary’s withdrawal of its veto has cleared the way for the European Union to finalize a landmark €90 billion loan package for Ukraine and approve a latest round of sanctions against Russia, marking a significant shift in Brussels’ support for Kyiv amid the ongoing war.
The decision, reached by the ambassadors of the EU’s 27 member states during a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, follows more than two months of delay caused by Hungary’s objections. The loan, originally agreed upon by EU leaders in December 2025, required unanimous approval under the EU’s budget revision rules, which Hungary had blocked until recently.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had linked his support for both the Ukrainian loan and the twentieth sanctions package against Russia to the restoration of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude to Hungary and other Central European countries. The pipeline was damaged in a Russian attack in late January 2026, disrupting flows.
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that repairs to the damaged section of the Druzhba pipeline had been completed and that oil flows had resumed, directly addressing Orbán’s condition for lifting the veto.
With Hungary’s objection withdrawn, the EU ambassadors gave preliminary political approval to both the €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the new sanctions package targeting Russia. The measures still require formal adoption through a written procedure, which EU officials said should be completed by Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Once the written procedure is concluded and no member state raises objections, the loan disbursement to Ukraine will begin immediately, while the sanctions will accept effect upon publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
The loan is intended to support Ukraine’s economy over the next two years, covering urgent budgetary needs and reconstruction efforts. The sanctions package, described by EU officials as the twentieth since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, includes additional economic restrictions and individual measures aimed at increasing pressure on the Kremlin.
Orbán, who lost Hungary’s parliamentary election on April 12, 2026 to opposition leader Peter Magyar, is set to leave office after 16 years as prime minister. In December 2025, he had committed to his EU counterparts to approve the Ukraine aid package once assurances were given that Hungary would not be required to contribute financially to the loan.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the breakthrough, emphasizing the importance of unity in supporting Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia. She noted that the agreement reflects the EU’s commitment to upholding its decisions despite internal disagreements.
The development comes as Ukraine continues to defend against Russian advances in the east and south, with Western allies seeking to sustain military and financial aid amid shifting political landscapes in donor countries.
Officials said the next step is the completion of the written procedure by the Council of the European Union, expected by the end of Thursday, April 23, 2026, after which the loan and sanctions will be formally adopted.
For ongoing updates on EU decisions regarding Ukraine support and sanctions on Russia, readers can follow official announcements from the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.
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