The 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia has been added to the agenda of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) meeting on 22 April, alongside a 90bn euro loan for Ukraine, European Pravda reports, citing its sources.
Both items were placed on the ambassadors' agenda as "non-discussion items," meaning they are not scheduled for debate during the session itself.
How the written procedure could clear both decisions within 24 hours
If the ambassadors of Hungary and Slovakia, which had previously blocked both the loan and the sanctions, do not raise principled objections to the adoption of these decisions, a written procedure for their approval will be announced, according to the outlet.
The written procedure normally runs for 24 hours and is expected to conclude by the morning of 23 April. The decisions can be adopted earlier if all member states sign the document. If the Hungarian or Slovak ambassadors raise reservations — for example, insisting on waiting until Russian oil physically reaches their countries through the Druzhba pipeline — consideration of both items will be postponed.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on 21 April that a decision on providing Ukraine with 90bn euros from the EU is expected within the next 24 hours.
Sybiha: a delayed package is no longer enough
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha told reporters in Kyiv that the belated approval of the 20th sanctions package by the EU is no longer sufficient and that it must be substantially expanded.
Sybiha noted that the package was supposed to have been approved two months earlier, on 24 February, but did not pass due to blocking by Hungary and Slovakia, which demanded in exchange the resumption of operations of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
"We believe that it is already not enough for us that sanctions must be adopted — they must also be an expanded package. Quite a lot of time has passed since 24 February. Our understanding has expanded, as has the need to squeeze the Russians, their industry, the 'shadow fleet,' maritime services," the minister said.
Sybiha added that Ukraine is counting on an expanded 20th package and noted that he had raised this the day before in his address to the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
"And we have encouraging signals that the 20th package will happen," he said.
Hungarian and Slovak conditions tied to the Druzhba pipeline
On 21 April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had repaired the Druzhba oil pipeline, which sustained damage in a Russian missile strike in January 2026.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said the same day that his country is ready to support the 20th sanctions package against Russia after Slovakia "received a signal" about a possible resumption of oil supplies. Blanár had earlier stated that Bratislava would back the package only when "Russian oil reaches Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who remains in office, said the previous day that Budapest would unblock the 90bn euro EU loan for Ukraine only after Russian oil supplies via Druzhba are restored.
Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said on 21 April that Hungary and Slovakia had confirmed that, once Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline resume, both countries would support the EU loan to Kyiv and the 20th sanctions package against Russia.
