EU approves a $106 billion loan package to help Ukraine after Hungary lifts its veto

EU approves a $106 billion loan package to help Ukraine after Hungary lifts its veto April 24, 20261:08 AM ET By  The Associated Press Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes statements as he arrives for the EU Summit in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, Thursday, April 23, 2026. Petros Karadjias/AP hide caption toggle caption Petros Karadjias/AP BRUSSELS — The European Union on Thursday approved a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan package to help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for two years after oil began flowing through a key pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, ending months of political deadlock. World After being held up for months, Ukraine set to get $100B loan from EU The EU also approved a new raft of sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine. The measures were prepared early this year and had been set to be announced in February to mark the fourth anniversary of the conflict, but Hungary and Slovakia opposed the move. Hungary and Slovakia have been locked in a feud with Ukraine since Russian oil deliveries to the two EU countries were halted in January after a pipeline was damaged. Ukrainian officials blamed the damage on Russian drone attacks. Both countries confirmed Thursday that deliveries have resumed. Sponsor Message Ukraine desperately needs the loan package to prop up its war-ravaged economy and help keep Russian forces at bay. Hungary angered its EU partners by reneging on a December deal to provide the funds. The loans are expected to be available in coming weeks and months. "Promised, delivered, implemented," European Council President António Costa posted on social media. A few hours later, as he arrived to chair a summit of EU leaders in Cyprus, Costa told reporters that the priority now must be to advance Ukraine's quest to join the bloc. Standing alongside him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his European partners for their support. "We will work to make sure the funds are delivered as soon as possible," he sa...