Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris on the morning of 13 March for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron that are expected to address a range of security and financial issues, Suspilne reports, citing sources at the Élysée Palace.
According to a source at the Élysée, unblocking the EU's €90 billion credit for Ukraine will be among the key topics of the visit. The loan, approved by EU leaders in December 2025, has been stalled since February after Hungary blocked its release, citing a dispute over Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.
Beyond the credit standoff, Macron and Zelenskyy are set to discuss France's support for Ukraine's defense, steps to increase pressure on Russia including action against its so-called shadow tanker fleet, and the terms of what both sides describe as a just and lasting peace. The two leaders will also review commitments made under the Coalition of the Willing on security guarantees, according to presidential spokesman Serhii Nikiforov.
The €90 billion package was approved by EU leaders on 19 December 2025, covering the 2026–2027 period. On 14 January 2026, the European Commission adopted a legislative package to enable the loan. The European Parliament endorsed the framework on 21 January and passed the three enabling legislative acts on 11 February.
Hungary's veto came on 20 February. Budapest cited Ukraine's suspension of Druzhba oil transit as its justification. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said Kyiv had notified Budapest on 27 January about Russian shelling that damaged the pipeline at Brody in Lviv region, calling Hungary's accusations illogical.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told an EU Council meeting on 23 February that Russia had not struck the Druzhba pipeline and that Ukraine had halted transit through an "internal political decision." Ukraine's Foreign Ministry accused the minister of acting in Russia's interests.
European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told Suspilne on 23 February that the EU was not discussing alternative arrangements for the €90 billion loan. However, this week Dombrovskis said the bloc would provide the funds "one way or another." Politico, citing EU sources, reported that Brussels has worked out a mechanism to deliver at least €30 billion despite the Hungarian and Slovak vetoes.
Slovakia has also threatened to maintain its block regardless of how Hungary resolves its position. With Hungarian parliamentary elections approaching — an outcome that could end Viktor Orbán's long tenure — EU officials are said to consider resolution before the vote highly unlikely.
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