Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to provide a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. She made this announcement during the annual conference of EU ambassadors in Brussels.
Von der Leyen emphasized that Europe will continue to support Ukraine, regardless of developments in other regions. She noted the importance of concluding the ongoing conflict in a manner that prevents future disputes.
According to von der Leyen, Ukraine’s immediate need is for stable financial assistance, which is why the EU has proposed the substantial loan to address its financial requirements. “You have all seen the challenges we faced in reaching this agreement, even after all 27 leaders consented to it. This raises questions about whether our system is still capable of functioning effectively. However, I assure you that we are fulfilling our commitments, as our reliability and, more importantly, our security are at stake,” she stated.
She also drew parallels between the financial support for Ukraine and the EU’s expansion strategy. “There has been much discussion on how we can implement this process in a timely manner, based on merit. It is crucial that we prepare to integrate the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine into our Union. Expansion is not merely an ideological matter; it concerns shared interests and the security of Europe. We must be ready to act when the time comes,” she added.
Context of the €90 Billion Loan
On December 19, 2025, EU leaders approved the €90 billion support package for Ukraine covering the years 2026 to 2027. This loan will be backed by the EU’s budget reserves rather than frozen Russian assets.
On January 14, 2026, the European Commission adopted a legislative package aimed at facilitating this loan to assist Kyiv with its financial and military needs over the two-year period.
On January 21, the European Parliament endorsed a proposal from the EU Council that enables the activation of enhanced cooperation for establishing the loan for Ukraine.
On February 11, members of the European Parliament voted in favor of three legislative acts that will allow Ukraine to access the €90 billion loan in 2026 and 2027.
Hungary’s Opposition to the Loan
On February 20, it was reported that Hungary has blocked the disbursement of the €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, citing issues related to the transit of oil from Russia through the Druzhba pipeline.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Kyiv had informed Budapest about the Russian strikes on the Druzhba pipeline in Brody, Lviv region, and the resulting damage on January 27. They characterized Hungary’s accusations of delays in supply as illogical.
Despite this, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed during an EU Council meeting on February 23 that Russia had not attacked the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure and suggested that Ukraine had halted transit due to an “internal political decision.” The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry accused the Hungarian minister of making statements and actions that favor Russia.
On February 23, European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis informed the media that the EU is not considering alternative options for the €90 billion loan currently blocked by Hungary.
The European Commission has confirmed its commitment to a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, underscoring the EU's ongoing support amid political hurdles, particularly from Hungary. The loan aims to address Ukraine's immediate financial needs but faces delays due to geopolitical tensions.