EU struggles for consensus on €90 billion Ukraine loan SANCTIONS VOTE DELAYED

The European Union has extended by several hours the written procedure required to approve amendments to its 2021–2027 long-term budget, alongside the bloc’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, after failing to secure positions from all 27 member states within the initial timeframe.

The decisions under consideration would enable the EU to provide Ukraine with €90 billion in loans over 2026–2027 and simultaneously adopt a new round of sanctions targeting Russia. Both measures require unanimous approval from all EU member states.

According to sources in Brussels cited by European Pravda, not all governments submitted their positions within the 24-hour window after the procedure was launched on April 22, prompting an extension of the deadline. The new cutoff has been set for 15:00 Brussels time.

While it remains unclear which country or countries have yet to formally register their stance, some positions have begun to emerge. Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has instructed the country’s representative to the EU not to block the adoption of the 20th sanctions package, citing the recent resumption of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.

The restoration of oil flows via Druzhba had been a key condition set by both Hungary and Slovakia for supporting the €90 billion loan package for Ukraine and the sanctions measures against Russia, reflecting broader energy and political considerations within the bloc.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, April 22, welcomed what he described as the unblocking of the decision-making process, expressing expectations that the EU would move swiftly to finalise and implement the agreed measures.

The outcome of the extended procedure will determine whether the EU can maintain unity on both financial support for Ukraine and its sanctions policy toward Russia.

By Tamilla Hasanova