Closing summary
… and so on that note, it’s a wrap for today!
EU leaders have welcomed the end of diplomatic deadlock over a long-awaited €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, after the bloc finalised the agreement along with a 20th package of sanctions against Russia (13:47, 13:51, 13:53, 13:55, 14:48, 17:38).
The outgoing Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has decided to skip the summit (14:08), with Péter Magyar set to take over next month (16:37).
The move comes after Russian oil started flowing through the Druzhba pipeline again with reported deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia, putting an end to months of tensions with Ukraine which delayed the adoption of the package (11:46, 12:05, 15:03).
The measures got signed off just in time for an informal EU summit in Cyprus, where leaders are also expected to talk about the EU’s mutual assistance clause, the Middle East, and the bloc’s future budget (17:29).
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
EU formally approves €90bn Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia
Brussels correspondent
EU leaders have welcomed the end of diplomatic deadlock over a long-awaited €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, after the bloc finalised the agreement along with a 20th package of sanctions against Russia.
After weeks of delay, the EU signed off on the loan on Thursday, in time for summit talks in Cyprus that are scheduled to begin in the evening and will include talks over a dinner with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media: “We are on our way to Cyprus with good news.” The European Commission president welcomed both agreements, finalised after Hungary lifted its veto.
Von der Leyen said:
“While Russia doubles down on its aggression, we are doubling down on our support to the brave Ukrainian nation, enabling Ukraine to defend itself and putting pressure on Russia’s war economy.”
Hungary lifted its vetoes over the long-delayed loan and sanctions after a dispute over a damaged oil pipeline that traverses Ukraine came to an end.
Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia resumed on Thursday, the Hungarian energy group MOL reported, after both countries – heavily dependent on Russian crude – dropped their objections to EU support for Ukraine.
Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister who was defeated by his conservative rival, Péter Magyar, earlier this month, will not take part in what would have been his final EU summit.
EU leaders will also discuss how to respond to surging energy prices and the wider ramifications of war in the Middle East, amid uncertainty over a definitive end to the conflict.
If you’re just catching up with the news, here’s our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin with her take on today’s events.
EU expects first payments to Ukraine in second quarter of 2026
The EU’s funding for Ukraine should start flowing erm now in the second quarter of 2026, the EU’s top leaders and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a joint statement ahead of tonight’s informal EU summit.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council president António Costa and Zelenskyy welcomed the approval of the loan today, and said it will “ensure that Ukraine can meet its urgent budgetary and defence needs.”
They stressed the importance of getting the money to Kyiv quickly, saying the first payout is expected this quarter, and urged other countries to step in to “bridge the remaining gaps in Ukraine’s finances.”
The trio also welcomed the new package of sanctions against Russia and stressed the continued progress Ukraine is making on its path to join the European Union – despite some, let’s say, doubting voices in some of the member states.
EU leaders to discuss 'mutual assistance clause' as they consider bloc's geopolitical security
The EU’s little-known “mutual assistance clause” is one of the big topics set to be discussed at tonight’s informal EU summit in Cyprus.
The article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union says:
“If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States. Commitments and cooperation in this area shall be consistent with commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which, for those States which are members of it, remains the foundation of their collective defence and the forum for its implementation.”
Sounds great, but … what does it exactly mean?
Well, that’s what the leaders will try to figure out.
It’s not a surprise that the discussion comes up at a time when Cyprus – a non-Nato EU member – is coordinating the work of the bloc, with the country likely spooked by recent security incidents on the island as part of the escalation in the Middle East.
Reuters reported that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to brief leaders on what kind of assistance can be provided under the clause.
But the agency added that some countries are anxious to steer clear of any action that might suggest they are turning away from Nato and its Article 5 mutual defence pact – despite growing negative rhetoric coming from the US.
The clause at question has been activated only once until now: by France, after terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 when member states stepped in with contributions to EU and international military missions and operations, freeing up France to redeploy its troops.
Let’s see what comes out of today’s discussions.
Hungary's incoming PM pledges to open intelligence files from communist Hungary
In other news, the incoming Hungarian prime minister Péter Magyar has pledged to declassify and open intelligence files from communist-era Hungary.
The move, which could shed lights on come of the most consequential moments in Hungary’s postwar history and its democratic transition, is part of Magyar’s broader commitment to break with the past and bring about transparency in public life.
He also said his party Tisza’s incoming members of parliament will not move to the National Assembly Office Building, few hundred of meters from the parliament, given it “served as the headquarters of the secret police and the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party” in 1950s.
Earlier today, Magyar also sent a political signal to (former?) associates of the outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orbán, rejecting their attempt to make contact with the new government.
Recalling Orbán’s own words from last year, he said:
“To those Fidesz leaders who are now suddenly eager to negotiate and send messages, I respond with @PM_ViktorOrban’s own words: ‘Nothing will be forgotten. Everything has been noted. Everything will be taken care of.’”
Magyar repeatedly alleged that members of the outgoing government were involved in destroying documents, with BBC reporting last week that some officials were approaching the new administration offering “digital copies in exchange for keeping their jobs or immunity from prosecution.”
The new prime minister is set to take office on 9 May, coincidentally celebrated as Day of Europe, with plans for a party in front of parliament to mark the occasion.
EU publishes detailed breakdown of 20th package of sanctions against Russia
Meanwhile, the European Commission has just offered a bit more detail on the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.
The adopted measures target 36 entities linked with the Russian energy sector, as well as two Russian ports and an Indonesian port of Karimun “for their connections with the shadow fleet and circumvention of the oil prices cap.” 46 additional vessels from the fleet were added to the EU’s list, bringing the total of vessels listed to 632.
The package also includes new measures against doing any business with 20 more Russian banks, as well as financial operators deemed to be “supporting Russia” in Kyrgyzstan, Laos and Azerbaijan.
It also introduces a “total sectorial ban on carrying out exchanges with any Russian crypto asset service provider,” and new prohibitions on payment services.
The sanctions further extend to trade, banning €365m of exports, including dual use items and technologies, as well as restrictions on provision of cybersecurity services to Russia.
The full list – which also includes 120 new listings for individuals and entities that will see their assets frozen and travel bans issued against their names – is here.
Macron welcomes 'very positive development' on EU's 'dual agenda' with €90bn loan, sanctions against Russia
Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron welcomed the agreement to unblock the €90bn loan for Ukraine as “a very positive development.”
Speaking alongside the Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides, Macron said that involvement of Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in tonight’s EU summit in Cyprus will offer a chance to “continue our discussions regarding Ukraine” and the “dual agenda” of supporting Kyiv and putting more pressure on Russia to stop its war.
He also mentioned the work of the Coalition of the Willing to “provide robust security guarantees for Ukraine” as an ongoing task ahead.
Meanwhile Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will defend its national interests in the Arctic at a meeting with the government.
The Russian president also said the Northern Sea Route – a maritime passage through the Arctic – is growing in importance amid global disruptions, including instability in the Middle East.
His comments come amid growing scrutiny of the security situation in the Arctic, also after Donald Trump’s comments about the geopolitical importance of Greenland.
Updated
Oil now flowing to Hungary via Druzhba pipeline, says energy group
Russian supplies of crude oil have begun flowing into Hungary, Hungarian energy group MOL said in a statement, bringing an end to a nearly three-month interruption in deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline.
In the statement, MOL said it had “received crude oil at the Fényeslitke and Budkovce pumping stations earlier Thursday. Crude oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline system have thus resumed to Hungary and Slovakia after a hiatus of nearly three months”.
Updated
'Deadlock over,' EU foreign policy chief says
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also celebrated today’s decision, saying “deadlock over.”
“Deadlock over. The EU just cleared the way for the €90-billion-loan for Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package.
Russia’s war economy is under growing strain, while Ukraine is getting a major boost.
We will provide Ukraine what it needs to hold its ground, until Putin understands his war leads nowhere.”
Reminder: Hungary’s Orbán is skipping today’s EU summit in Cyprus, which would have been his last (for now?) before he steps down from his post early next month.
Updated
More EU leaders are joining in with their celebratory messages after the €90bn loan and the 20th package of sanctions got finally approved.
Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson welcomed the move after “prolonged blockages by Hungary and Slovakia”.
“Increased support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia is the key to peace in Ukraine,” he said.
The (relatively) new Dutch PM, Rob Jetten, said it was “a very important step, crucial for the Ukrainian struggle for freedom and thus for our security.”
Latvia’s Evika Siliņa said it was “long overdue – finally done,” as “Ukraine’s brave people deserve our full and unwavering support.”
In a pointed comment towards the outgoing Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, she added: “Europe must stay united and deliver. Agreements reached at the leaders’ level should always be respected and implemented.”
Updated
Europe must 'keep pace' to respond to Russia's aggression, Estonian PM says
Estonia’s prime minister Kristen Michal urged the EU to “keep the pace” when confronting the Russian threat to Ukraine and Europe, warning that “peace will not come from compromises with the aggressor; it comes from strength.”
In his response to the EU’s decision, he said:
“Good news on the €90 billion loan for Ukraine. We are delivering on our promises.
But we must keep the pace. Peace will not come from compromises with the aggressor. It comes from strength. And this support helps Ukraine hold the line.
The 20th sanctions package is done. Work on the next ones is already under way. Pressure stays.”
'Important day for our defence,' Zelenskyy says as he hails decision on €90bn EU loan
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed the decision as “an important day for our defence and our relations with the European Union.”
In a post on X, he said the loan “will strengthen our army, make Ukraine more resilient, and enable us to fulfil our social obligations to Ukrainians.”
He also repeated his earlier comments that Ukraine will work to get the first tranche of money by “as early as May-June.”
“The funds from the European package will be directed, among other priorities, to arms production, the procurement of necessary weapons from partners that we do not yet produce in Ukraine, and the preparation of our energy sector and critical infrastructure for the next winter,” he said.
When Russia doubles down on aggression, we double down on support for Ukraine, EU's von der Leyen says
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is also quick to respond to the decision.
She said:
“We are on our way to Cyprus with good news.
I welcome the agreement from the Member States on the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine for 2026-27 and on 20th sanctions package.
While Russia doubles down on its aggression, we are doubling down on our support to the brave Ukrainian nation enabling Ukraine to defend itself and putting pressure on Russia’s war economy.
Now we will move to swiftly implement on both fronts.”
'Promised, delivered, implemented,' EU chief celebrates agreement on loan, sanctions
António Costa, president of the European Council, is the first to celebrate the agreement.
In a post on X, he said:
“Promised, delivered, implemented.
The EU’s strategy to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine rests on two pillars: strengthening Ukraine; increasing pressure on Russia.
Today we moved forward on both: Unlocking the €90 billion loan to Ukraine, securing financial and military support for 2026–2027. Adopting the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, reducing its ability to wage war.
Europe stands firm, united and unwavering in its support to Ukraine.”
€90bn loan for Ukraine, 20th package of sanctions against Russia approved by EU
Here we go, officially!
The Cypriot presidency of the European Union has just confirmed that the written procedure for adopting the €90bn loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia have now been completed, with unanimous agreement among the member states.
Cypriot finance minister Makis Keravnos said the disbursement of the much-needed money for Ukraine will “start flowing as soon as possible.”
Updated
'World must not grow used' to war in Ukraine, Prince Harry warns on surprise Kyiv trip
The Duke of Sussex has warned “the world must not grow used” or “numb” to the conflict in Ukraine as he insisted he was speaking in the war-torn country not as “a politician” but as a “soldier who understands service”.
Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, was addressing the Kyiv Security Forum during a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital on Thursday.
He said: “
I am not here as a politician. I am here as a soldier who understands service, as a humanitarian who has seen the human cost of conflict, and as a friend of Ukraine who believes the world must not grow used to this war or numb to its consequences.
Because what is happening here is not simply a war about territory. It is a war about values. About sovereignty.
About whether the principles that underpin our shared democracy still hold meaning.”
Directly addressing Russian president Vladimir Putin, Harry said:
“President Putin, no nation benefits from the continued loss of life we are witnessing.
There is still a moment – now – to stop this war, to prevent further suffering for Ukrainians and Russians alike, and to choose a different course.”
He also made reference to the “American leadership” but did not mention Donald Trump by name, saying it was a “moment for America to show that it can honour its international treaty obligations”.
Harry said:
“The United States has a singular role in this story. Not only because of its power, but because when Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons, America was part of the assurance that Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders would be respected.
This is a moment for American leadership – a moment for America to show that it can honour its international treaty obligations – not out of charity, but out of its enduring role in global security and strategic stability.”
As we wait for more details from the European Union, let’s bring you a bit more on Prince Harry’s visit to Kyiv from our reporter, Caroline Davies.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy hopes to get first tranche of EU loan end of May, early June
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Kyiv will seek to receive the first tranche of the €90bn European Union loan by the end of May, or early June.
“This is strengthening of our army,” he told reporters in a WhatsApp chat, reported by Reuters.
Adoption process for €90bn loan, sanctions still ongoing, commission says
Oh, that’s (potentially) interesting.
The European Commission was planning to offer journalists a technical briefing on the €90bn loan and the 20th package of sanctions just now.
But it’s just been rescheduled.
The commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, told the midday briefing it was due to the fact that “the adoption process … is still ongoing” and that a new date will be set “once we can confirm timelines.”
For all we know, the formal deadline for the adoption process is 1pm local time in Brussels, so in about 20 minutes.
Is the commission just playing it safe, or is there more to the story? Let’s wait and see.
Updated
European Commission looks to suspend funding for Venice Biennale after organisers allowed Russia back in
Over in Brussels, the European Commission is giving its daily briefing.
Responding to a question from our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin, the commission has confirmed its plans to withdraw its funding for Venice Biennale after it allowed Russia to take part in the event.
A letter setting out the warning to the organisers that the €2m grant could be “suspended or terminated” was sent two weeks ago, giving them 30 days to “get back to us and defend themselves,” a commission spokesperson confirmed.
“Should the reply from the Biennale not be satisfactory, then we have, of course, already said that we have the intention to suspend or terminate the contract,” Thomas Regnier said.
“We are strongly condemning the fact that the [foundation behind the Biennale] has allowed for the Russian pavilion to open again at the Biennale art exhibition,” he added.
Slovakia's Fico expects 'all things will be finalised today' to release €90bn loan for Ukraine
Speaking at a press conference, Slovak prime minister Robert Fico said he welcomed the reopening of the pipeline but repeated his view that the blockage had been politically motivated and the pipeline was “used as a tool in a geopolitical struggle.”
But looking forward, he said he believed “a serious relationship between Ukraine and the European Union was established” as praised the agreement on unblocking the pipeline and releasing the €90bn loan to Ukraine.
Unusually for him, he also thanked the European Commission for its help in getting the oil flowing again.
He insisted the loan was not blocked by Slovakia, but by Hungary, and that he assumed “all things will be finalised today” once the formal written procedure is completed.
He stressed, however, that as per the political agreement reached last December, Slovakia, alongside the Czech Republic and Hungary, will not be part of the arrangement.
“It is a war loan, with which we have nothing do to with. €60bn goes for weapons and €30bn goes for the functioning of Ukraine as such,” he said.
Slovakia confirms oil deliveries through Druzhba pipeline in line with agreed schedules
We are getting a bit more detail from Slovakia on the oil deliveries it is getting via the now-restarted Druzhba pipeline.
Slovakia is expected to get 13,500 tonnes of Russian crude daily, meaning it should receive 119,000 tonnes by the end of the month.
“Oil intake is currently taking place in accordance with the agreed daily schedule and technical pumping parameters,” the economy ministry said in a statement quoted by Sme.
EU risks fallout with US over Trump-linked Balkans pipeline plan
in Sarajevo
The EU risks a confrontation with Donald Trump after it sought to stall the awarding of a lucrative Balkans pipeline contract to a company fronted by his personal lawyer, documents seen by the Guardian show.
Brussels has clashed with Trump over trade, Ukraine and military spending, but the intervention in the Southern Interconnection pipeline project appears to mark the first time it has challenged a commercial venture by those close to the president.
The pipeline will run through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under what Bosnian sources say have been months of pressure from US officials, its leaders have been moving quickly to award the contract to a previously little-known company based in Wyoming.
The company, AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, was incorporated in November last year and has not disclosed its owners. It is fronted by two leading members of Trump’s campaign to overturn his 2020 election defeat: Jesse Binnall, a lawyer who defended him against allegations of inciting the Capitol riots that followed, and Joe Flynn, brother of the president’s former national security adviser.
Despite lacking any apparent track record, AAFS is planning to invest $1.5bn in the pipeline and other Bosnian infrastructure projects, its local representative has said.
In March, lawmakers approved legislation that Transparency International said would set a “dangerous precedent” by stipulating that the contract must go to AAFS without a tender.
Days later, Brussels’ representative in Sarajevo delivered a private warning to Bosnia’s leaders that they were jeopardising the country’s hopes of joining the EU.
In a letter sent on 13 April, obtained by the Bosnian investigative outlet istraga.ba and seen by the Guardian, the EU official Luigi Soreca wrote that, under an energy agreement between Bosnia and Brussels, it was “crucial that draft laws are thoroughly coordinated” with the EU.
Soreca said Brussels should have a say in the pipeline legislation. “In this way, Bosnia and Herzegovina can continue to progress on its European path and avoid missing out on opportunities for further integration, as well as financial opportunities,” he said.
At least 17 injured after head-on train collision in Denmark
Elsewhere, two local trains have collided head-on in Denmark, injuring at least 17 people, four of whom are in a critical condition, according to emergency services.
The public broadcaster DR showed images of two yellow and grey trains, both with damage to the front, facing each other in a wooded area.
The incident happened north of Copenhagen on Thursday on a train line linking the towns of Hillerod and Kagerup, police said in a statement. “It is two local trains that have collided head-on,” a spokesperson for the rescue services told Reuters.
'It matters we don't lose sight' of Ukraine, Prince Harry says on surprise Kyiv visit
Britain’s Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in a show of support for the country in its fifth year of war with Russia.
“It’s good to be back in Ukraine,” Prince Harry said on his arrival at a Kyiv railway station early on Thursday.
Reuters reported that he is set to attend a Kyiv security conference during the two-day trip. His arrival comes when the world’s attention has been redirected towards the war in the Middle East.
Ukraine is “a country bravely and successfully defending Europe’s eastern flank“, Prince Harry said, adding that “it matters that we don’t lose sight of the significance of that.”
Updated
No offer was made to rename Donbas as 'Donnyland' to flatter Trump, Zelenskyy says
in Kyiv
Meanwhile, Ukraine’ Volodymyr Zelenskyy downplayed a New York Times report claiming that Ukraine had offered to rename the country’s Donbas region “Donnyland”, in honour of the US president, Donald Trump.
The paper said the idea was initially suggested as a joke. It was then proposed in negotiations as a way to flatter Trump and encourage him to take a tougher line on Russia, it added.
Replying to a question from the Guardian, Zelenskyy denied “Donnyland” was raised in talks.
He said:
“During my negotiations, no terms other than ‘Donetsk Oblast’, ‘Luhansk Oblast’, ‘our Donbas’ or ‘territory of Ukraine’ were used. Accordingly, documents exist that state all of this.”
Ukraine’s president said he could not comment on discussions about “other names”.
He added:
“In my view, the main thing is that the Donetsk region and the Luhansk region remain Ukrainian territory, as they are, so that there is no ‘Putinland’. That, to me, seems to be the most important thing.”
The White House has repeatedly pressured Ukraine to give the eastern Donbas to Russia as part of a peace deal and has suggested the region become a Russian-policed demilitarised zone. The Kremlin claims Trump agreed to a handover during his August summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Zelenskyy rejects this. He says he cannot cede territory under Ukraine’s constitution and points out that around 200,000 civilians live in the northern part of Donetsk Oblast that Kyiv still controls.
Ukrainian commanders believe Putin would violate any peace deal and use Donbas – or ‘Donnyland’ – as a springboard for future attacks.
Morning opening: EU set to sign off on €90bn loan for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia
EU leaders are set to meet in Cyprus this evening to discuss the latest on the Middle East and the next EU budget, starting in 2028.
But it looks like they will have a bit of a detour – and a reason to celebrate, too – as the long-awaited €90bn loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia are on course to be unblocked after four months of delays caused by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.
After securing political agreement yesterday, the decision is now going through a formal written procedure, which is set to be completed by 1pm Brussels time.
Hungary and Slovakia have made it clear that they will no longer block the two measures if Russian oil deliveries restart through the Druzhba pipeline, and Slovakia’s economy minister Denisa Saková said that the flow has resumed overnight. A similar confirmation is expected from Hungary soon.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to join the EU leaders in Cyprus in person to mark this milestone.
In sharp contrast, the bloc’s disrupter in chief, Orbán, will skip what would be his last EU summit (for now), losing the status of the longest-serving member of the European Council (15 years, 327 days) to Poland’s Donald Tusk (14 years, 73 days).
Separately, I will keep an eye on Prince Harry’s unexpected visit to Kyiv, and EU commissioner Maroš Šefčovič’s talks in the US on trade.
I will bring you all the key updates here.
It’s Thursday, 23 April 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
