The European Union expects to transfer the first tranche of its 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine at the end of May or in early June 2026, European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters in Brussels on 21 April, European Pravda reports from Brussels.
"There are currently no delays in the work (on the technical preparation of the loan. – EP), and we are not creating any potential delays. I think it is possible to schedule plans for late May to early June," Dombrovskis said when asked about the timing of the first disbursement.
Memorandum and reforms in preparation
According to the Commissioner, negotiations on the text of the Memorandum of Understanding with Ukraine are ongoing, and a list of reforms that Kyiv must implement in order to receive the funds is being drawn up.
Dombrovskis stated that Ukraine will have sufficient financial resources to hold out until the EU money arrives in June. "The good news is that we have managed to mobilise financing from other international partners directed at Ukraine. So it has been confirmed by Ukraine and (Ukrainian) authorities that they can wait until our financing arrives," he said.
Vote expected 22 April
Ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 21 April, the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said she expects "positive decisions" on the 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine on 22 April. EU ambassadors are set to give final approval to the package at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives on 22 April.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the day before that Ukraine had expressed readiness to resume oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline on Monday, on condition that Budapest unblocks the 90-billion-euro EU loan.
What is known about the EU's 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine
On 19 December 2025, EU leaders agreed on a 90-billion-euro support package for Ukraine for 2026–2027. The loan is to be backed by the bloc's budget headroom rather than frozen Russian assets.
On 14 January 2026, the European Commission adopted a package of legislative proposals to enable the loan to Kyiv, designed to cover financial and military needs over two years.
On 21 January, the European Parliament backed the proposal for a Council decision activating enhanced cooperation to establish the Loan for Ukraine of 90 billion euros for 2026–2027.
On 11 February, MEPs voted through three legislative acts allowing Ukraine to receive the loan in 2026 and 2027.
On 20 February, it emerged that Hungary had blocked the disbursement of the 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine, citing the absence of Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said Kyiv had informed Budapest on 27 January about Russian strikes on the Druzhba pipeline near Brody in Lviv Oblast and the resulting damage, and called accusations that Ukraine was delaying supplies illogical.
Despite this, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 23 February that Russia had "not shelled" Druzhba infrastructure and that Ukraine had allegedly halted the transit due to an "internal political decision." Ukraine's MFA accused the Hungarian minister of making statements and taking actions in Russia's interests.
On 23 February, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told Suspilne that the EU was not discussing alternative arrangements for the 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine, which Hungary was blocking.
The EU leaders' summit took place on 19 March in Brussels. Ahead of the meeting, the head of the Hungarian government told reporters that Budapest would not support any EU decision in Ukraine's favour until Kyiv resumed oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline — including the unblocking of the 90-billion-euro loan. However, Orbán lost the election. The position will be taken by oposition party leader Peter Magyar. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the day before that Ukraine had expressed readiness to resume oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline on Monday, on condition that Budapest unblocks the 90-billion-euro EU loan.
