On April 21, EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg to address key issues, including a proposed €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package against Russia. EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, emphasized the urgency of these discussions, stating that it is time to unblock these matters.
According to EU diplomats, the current Hungarian government is still in power, and while significant changes are not anticipated, there is hope for progress on support for Ukraine. The diplomats highlighted the importance of the €90 billion loan as a priority.
In a notable development, a team from the European Commission is currently in Budapest, which is unprecedented. This team includes the head of the European Commission’s president’s office and several directors-general, who are set to engage with representatives of Hungary’s incoming government.
Two diplomats indicated that Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, is unlikely to attend the EU ministers’ meeting. One remarked, “I would be very surprised if he showed up.” During the meeting, Kallas is expected to address recent controversies regarding information leaks from Budapest to Moscow.
“I expect her to reaffirm the importance of confidentiality and what we call the principle of sincere cooperation, which is fundamental to how we operate within the EU and work as a community,” said European diplomats.
On April 16, amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, Kaja Kallas announced that the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council would consider unblocking the €90 billion loan and the new sanctions package against Russia in the following week.
Details on the €90 Billion EU Loan for Ukraine
On December 19, 2025, EU leaders decided to support Ukraine with a €90 billion loan for the years 2026–2027. This loan will be backed by the EU’s budget reserve, rather than frozen Russian assets.
On January 14, 2026, the European Commission approved a legislative package aimed at providing this loan to Kyiv for its financial and military needs over two years.
On January 21, the European Parliament endorsed a proposal from the EU Council to activate enhanced cooperation for establishing the €90 billion loan for Ukraine for 2026–2027.
On February 11, members of the European Parliament voted in favor of three legislative acts that would allow Ukraine to access the €90 billion loan in 2026 and 2027.
However, on February 20, Hungary blocked the EU loan to Ukraine, citing the lack of oil transit from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv informed Budapest about the Russian attacks on the Druzhba pipeline in Brody, Lviv region, and the resulting damages on January 27, asserting that accusations of delays in deliveries were illogical.
Despite this, Peter Szijjarto claimed during a February 23 EU Council meeting that Russia “did not attack” the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure and suggested that Ukraine halted transit due to an “internal political decision.” The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry accused the Hungarian minister of acting in favor of Russia.
On February 23, EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis informed that the EU is not discussing alternative options regarding the €90 billion loan to Ukraine, which Hungary continues to block.
At the EU leaders’ summit on March 19 in Brussels, Hungary’s Prime Minister stated that Budapest would not support any EU decisions favoring Ukraine until Kyiv restores oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, which includes the unblocking of the €90 billion loan.
EU foreign ministers are set to meet in Luxembourg to discuss a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia. The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions and a unique diplomatic mission in Budapest to engage with Hungary's future government.