EU wants to unblock €90bn for Ukraine as quickly as possible after Orbán's defeat

Following the defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the elections on 12 April, the European Union is hoping that both its €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th Russia sanctions package can be unblocked as quickly as possible.

Source: European Pravda, citing the Cypriot Presidency of the EU

Quote: "Our goal as Presidency remains to conclude both the €90 billion Ukrainian loan package and the 20th sanctions package as soon as possible."

More details: Cyprus is holding the EU Presidency in the first half of 2026.

The European Pravda source also said the Cypriot Presidency intends to put these issues on the agenda of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the European Union (Coreper) "as soon as the conditions permit it, with a view to a swift conclusion of both files".

There will be two Coreper meetings in Brussels this week, on 15 April and on 17 April. The issues are not on the official agenda for these meetings. However, the ambassadors of EU member states are due to discuss an informal meeting of EU heads of state to be held in Nicosia on 23 and 24 April, during which both the €90 billion loan and the 20th sanctions package will be discussed.

European Pravda's own EU sources have said that EU officials do not expect any fundamental change in Hungary's position on Ukraine until Péter Magyar formally takes office as prime minister.

The EU expects that Magyar will start work in the post in early May 2026. That means Hungary will still be represented by Viktor Orbán at the EU leaders' summit on 23-24 April.

However, other European Pravda sources in the EU say they would not rule out Orbán making some concessions on Ukraine even before he hands over power to Magyar.

Background:

• The German government has expressed hope that the outcome of Hungary's parliamentary elections, which were won by Péter Magyar's opposition Tisza party, will help quickly unblock a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
• After winning the parliamentary elections, Magyar declared that Hungary will once again be a reliable partner in the EU and NATO.
• Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that messages have been sent to Hungary regarding possible contact between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Péter Magyar.
• On 19 March, Orbán said Budapest would not unblock any EU decision favourable to Ukraine – including approval of the 20th Russia sanctions package and the €90 billion loan – until the flow of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline was restored.

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