Slovakia and Hungary will not block Ukraine loan, Czech foreign minister says

Ivanna Kostina, Tetyana Oliynyk - 21 April, 20:13

The EU flag. Photo: Getty Images

Hungary and Slovakia have confirmed that if Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline resume, both countries will support granting Kyiv the EU loan and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

Source: Dennik N, an independent Slovak news outlet, citing Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has completed repairs to the section of the Druzhba pipeline damaged in a Russian strike and that the facility can resume operations.

Russian oil has not flowed through the Druzhba pipeline since the end of January, and Hungary blocked the EU loan for Ukraine over the issue. Budapest and Bratislava also blocked approval of a new package of sanctions against Russia.

Quote from Macinka: "Both countries, which have taken a somewhat reserved position on these two issues, made it conditional on the start of oil supplies to their countries. So if this is confirmed and supplies resume, this obstacle will disappear."

Background:

On 21 April, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said a decision on the EU's €90 billion loan for Ukraine will be taken within the next 24 hours.
On 19 April, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Ukraine is willing to resume oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline on 20 April on condition that Budapest unblocks the EU loan of €90 billion.
The European Union plans to provide Ukraine with the first tranche of a €90 billion loan in late May or early June 2026.
To complete technical preparations for providing Ukraine with a €90 billion loan in 2026-2027, the EU must approve three additional key documents, alongside amendments to the EU's long-term budget currently blocked by Hungary.

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