Got what he wanted – Viktor Orban withdraws his blockade of the EU support package for Ukraine.Image: keystone
April 22, 2026, 1:41 p.mApril 22, 2026, 1:41 p.m
Hungary has given up its months-long blockade of the planned billion-dollar EU support package for Ukraine. The government of outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban supported a decision in Brussels that would enable a loan of up to 90 billion euros, as several diplomats told the German Press Agency. The fresh money is needed by Ukraine to continue its defensive fight against Russia and for other state tasks.
In addition, the permanent representatives of the EU states in Brussels were able to launch a new package of sanctions against Russia. It aims to further reduce Russia’s revenue from gas and oil sales. Further financial institutions are also to be cut off from international payment transactions and additional trade restrictions are to be imposed. The package was also blocked by Hungary and Slovakia.
Druzhba pipeline plays key role
The formal decisions now have to be made in a written procedure, which should be completed this Thursday afternoon. This could only fail if planned Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia do not arrive by then.
“Friendship – Druschba” stands at the German end of the Druschba pipeline.Image: DPA central image
In order to persuade Orban and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico to give up their vetoes, Ukraine allowed the Druzhba pipeline to resume operations on Tuesday. Through this, Russian oil is delivered via Ukrainian territory to Hungary and Slovakia.
Orban had accused Ukraine of preventing Russian oil deliveries through the pipeline for political reasons and tied his approval to new EU aid for the country to the pipeline being put back into operation. The government in Kiev rejected the allegations and stressed that the pipeline needed to be repaired after Russian air strikes in January.
The Hungarian blockade had recently caused outrage and criticism for weeks – especially because Orban had already approved the loan concept at an EU summit in December. Ultimately, however, the right-wing populist prevailed with his blackmail and forced Ukraine to restore pipeline operations. This is bitter for many people there because Russia also finances its war of aggression against Ukraine through oil exports.
The second blocker: Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert FicoImage: keystone
However, Orban’s defeat in the parliamentary elections a week and a half ago is giving hope in some places. In Ukraine and many other EU states, the governments are counting on the future Prime Minister Peter Magyar to pursue a different policy and block less in Brussels. For example, Orban also blocked Ukraine’s EU accession process.
EU loan should enable Ukraine to continue its defensive struggle
Of the new EU financial aid totaling 90 billion euros, 60 billion are earmarked for defense-related expenditure. Half of the money is expected to flow this year – another 45 billion could follow next year.
The financing concept envisages raising the money for the loan on favorable terms on the capital market. Ukraine should only have to pay back the money if Russia pays compensation for the damage caused after its war of aggression ends. An agreement between the heads of state and government also stipulates that Russian assets frozen in the EU will be used for repayment if Moscow does not pay compensation for war damage.
The sanctions package that has now been launched should actually have come into force in February on the fourth anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion. In the energy sector, it proposes to ban EU companies from participating in the repair of Russian refineries damaged by Ukrainian attacks. In addition, transactions with port terminals in Russia and third countries as well as LNG terminal services and maintenance services for Russian LNG tankers and icebreakers are prohibited. At the same time, a previous exception for natural gas condensates in the import ban for Russian crude oil will no longer apply.
Vladimir Putin is filling his war chest with the current high prices.Image: keystone
In addition, Russian and foreign companies that support the Russian military-industrial complex, including companies from third countries, will be sanctioned. In order to reduce Russia’s income, import bans on other metals, chemicals and critical raw materials are also planned. According to EU information, the country’s income could fall by 570 million euros per year.
There has been no final agreement on imposing a comprehensive ban on all maritime services related to the transport of Russian crude oil. The main reason was concerns from countries like Greece, which fear for the competitiveness of their shipping companies.
So far, the provision of maritime services has only been prohibited for ships and companies that do not adhere to a Western price cap for oil. Services include insurance, charter ships and technical services such as maintenance and repairs. (nil/sda/dpa)