Kyiv: Ukraine has expressed strong confidence that a massive €90 billion European Union loan package will begin flowing as early as next month, even as Hungary continues to block the initiative, exposing deep fractures within the EU over support for Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that the first tranche of the much-needed financial assistance could be released in April, despite the ongoing veto by Viktor Orbán. The funding is seen as critical for Ukraine’s economic stability and its sustained defense effort against Russia’s prolonged invasion, now stretching into its fifth year.
The deadlock stems from Hungary’s refusal to approve the loan, largely tied to a dispute over disrupted Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline that passes via Ukrainian territory. Budapest has insisted it will not back the aid until the energy issue is resolved, a stance that has frustrated EU leaders and complicated the bloc’s unified response to the war.
Despite the impasse, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has assured that the EU remains committed to delivering the promised support. She emphasized that alternative mechanisms are being explored to bypass Hungary’s blockade and ensure Ukraine receives at least part of the funds without delay.
Ukraine’s financial needs remain urgent. Officials estimate that Kyiv requires between $45 billion and $52 billion in foreign assistance this year alone to cover its budget deficit. So far, only a fraction of that amount has been secured, with significant portions of government spending around 60 percent directed toward defense amid ongoing hostilities.
The standoff has also triggered sharp criticism within the EU, with several leaders accusing Hungary of undermining collective decision-making at a critical moment. The loan package had previously been agreed upon by a majority of member states, making the continued veto a significant political obstacle.
Nevertheless, Kyiv remains optimistic that diplomatic and institutional workarounds will unlock the funds. Ukrainian leadership believes that even partial disbursement in the coming weeks could provide vital relief to its war-strained economy and reinforce its resilience against continued Russian aggression.
As negotiations continue in Brussels, the unfolding situation highlights both the EU’s commitment to Ukraine and the internal challenges it faces in maintaining unity during one of the most consequential conflicts in recent European history.