Translated material
The European Union approved a loan to Ukraine worth 90 billion euros
Representatives of the European Union countries on April 22 approved the provision of a loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine. At the same time, the 20th package of sanctions against Russia was agreed upon. According to Radio Liberty, a ban on maritime transportation of Russian oil is not included in it. A number of other changes have also been made; more details about them can be found in the material of the “System” project.
the 🇪🇺 20th sanctions package on 🇷🇺 is set to be approved by 🇪🇺 ambassadors this morning. Without the maritime ban on 🇷🇺 oil however. 🇺🇦
— Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) April 22, 2026
The final approval of the decision is expected to go through a written procedure during the EU leaders' summit in Cyprus on April 23.
Decisions to unblock the loan and approve the sanctions package are being made against the backdrop of the expected resumption of Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline. Slovak Energy Minister Denisa Sakova said that filling of the pipeline has begun on the Ukrainian section, and pumping to Slovakia can resume on April 23. The Hungarian company MOL also confirmed the flow of oil into the pipeline. From the statements of politicians it follows that the final approval of the decisions is linked to the physical flow of oil to Slovakia and Hungary - it is expected on the morning of April 23.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky previously stated that repairs to the damaged section of Druzhba have been completed. According to him, the infrastructure is ready to operate, although the risks of new attacks remain. “We associate with this the unblocking of the European support package for Ukraine, which has already been approved by the European Council,” he said.
Oil supplies via Druzhba were stopped at the end of January. Kyiv says the damage was caused by Russian strikes. Budapest accused Ukraine of delaying repairs.
Zelensky also emphasized the need for further sanctions pressure on Russia and diversification of energy supplies.
The European Union approved a loan to Ukraine worth 90 billion euros