The measures were cleared after Hungary and Slovakia withdrew their objections when Ukraine resumed oil transit following repairs to the damaged Druzhba pipeline.

The European Union has given final approval to a €90 billion ($105 billion) loan for Ukraine, along with a fresh round of sanctions against Russia, delivering a major boost to Kyiv after a prolonged dispute.

The measures were cleared after Hungary and Slovakia withdrew their objections when Ukraine resumed oil transit following repairs to the damaged Druzhba pipeline.

“Deadlock over,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in an online post. “Russia’s war economy is under increasing strain, while Ukraine is receiving a significant boost.”

The disagreement had delayed EU assistance at a time when the United States has largely reduced support for Kyiv and eased sanctions on Russian oil exports amid tensions linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision, calling it a critical step for both Ukraine’s defence and its ties with the EU.

“Today is an important day for our defence and for our relations with the European Union.

The European support loan for Ukraine has been unblocked €90 billion over two years,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

“It is crucial that Ukraine secures this level of financial certainty after more than four years of full-scale war,” he added, urging that the first portion of the funds be released by May or June.

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