90 billion is flowing

Pipeline is up and running – Orbán lifts Ukraine blockade

Orbán blocked aid to Ukraine for months—and exploited the conflict with Ukraine during the election campaign as well.(Bild: AFP/ATTILA KISBENEDEK)

After months of dispute over Russian oil supplies and aid to Ukraine, EU member states have now finally approved the multi-billion-euro aid package for Kyiv. At the same time, a new package of sanctions against Russia was also launched.

EU member states have approved the 90-billion-euro package for Ukraine. The Cypriot EU Council Presidency announced this on Wednesday. The formal decisions are to be adopted through a written procedure, which is expected to be completed on Thursday.

Until now, Hungary had blocked the release of funds. The outgoing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had refused to give its approval in connection with the dispute over Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. The loan had already been approved in December.

Now that oil is flowing through the Druzhba pipeline again, the billions for Kyiv are on track.(Bild: AP/Sven Kaestner)

Austria calls it “very good news”
Austria also offered clear support for the decision. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) expressly welcomed the approval of the loan following the Council of Ministers meeting. It is “very good news,” she said, and Austria remains “firmly” on Ukraine’s side.

Orbán has blocked aid for Ukraine for months—and exploited the conflict with Ukraine during the election campaign as well.(Bild: AFP/ATTILA KISBENEDEK)

Russia poses a threat to Europe with its war of aggression, Meinl-Reisinger continued. Hungary’s obstructionist stance was therefore incomprehensible. At the same time, she urged the adoption of another—now the 20th—package of sanctions against Russia. As long as Russia is not willing to stop the killing, economic pressure is needed.

Druzhba Pipeline Back in Operation
In parallel with the political agreement, Ukraine has resumed deliveries of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, according to information from its energy sector. Deliveries reportedly began on Wednesday morning.

The pipeline had previously been damaged following a Russian attack in January. Supplies were subsequently suspended while repairs were underway. The Ukrainian operator has since declared the force majeure situation to be over.

Point of contention as reason for the blockade
Hungary had blocked the disbursement of EU aid since December, citing the dispute over the pipeline. Russian oil normally flows through the pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia. With the pipeline back in operation and the EU agreement, this conflict now appears to have been defused, at least politically.

With the approval of the package and the additional sanctions decision, the formal final decisions are now imminent. The EU is thus continuing its financial and political support for Ukraine despite ongoing tensions within the Union.