Morning opening: EU set to sign off on €90bn loan for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia
EU leaders are scheduled to convene this evening to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and the upcoming EU budget starting in 2028.
However, their agenda will include a significant detour with a reason for optimism: the long-delayed €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia are poised to be approved after a four-month hold-up caused by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.
Following political agreement reached yesterday, the formal written procedure is underway and expected to conclude by 1pm Brussels time.
Hungary and Slovakia have indicated they will no longer block these measures if Russian oil deliveries resume via the Druzhba pipeline. Slovakia’s Economy Minister Denisa Saková confirmed that the oil flow recommenced overnight. A similar confirmation from Hungary is anticipated shortly.
Ukraine’s President is expected to attend the EU leaders’ summit in Cyprus to commemorate this milestone.
In contrast, Orbán will skip what is likely his last EU summit for now, relinquishing his status as the longest-serving member of the European Council (15 years, 327 days) to Poland’s Donald Tusk (14 years, 73 days).
Separately, attention will be on Prince Harry’s unexpected visit to Kyiv and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič’s trade discussions in the United States.
All key updates will be provided here.
It is Thursday, 23 April 2026. Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.
Adoption process for €90bn loan, sanctions still ongoing, commission says
The European Commission had planned a technical briefing on the €90 billion loan and the 20th sanctions package but postponed it.
Deputy Chief Spokesperson Olof Gill explained at the midday briefing that the adoption process is still ongoing, with a new date to be set once timelines are confirmed.
The formal deadline for the adoption process is 1pm Brussels time, approximately 20 minutes away at the time of the briefing.
It remains to be seen whether the Commission is exercising caution or if there are further developments.
European Commission looks to suspend funding for Venice Biennale after organisers allowed Russia back in
During the Brussels briefing, responding to a question from correspondent Jennifer Rankin, the Commission confirmed plans to withdraw funding for the Venice Biennale after it permitted Russia’s participation.
A letter warning the organisers that the €2 million grant could be suspended or terminated was sent two weeks ago, giving them 30 days to respond and justify their decision, 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 added,
“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.”
Slovakia's Fico expects 'all things will be finalised today' to release €90bn loan for Ukraine
At a press conference, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico welcomed the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline but reiterated his belief that the blockage was politically motivated and used as a geopolitical tool.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the relationship between Ukraine and the EU, praising the agreement to unblock the pipeline and release the €90 billion loan.
Unusually, Fico thanked the European Commission for its assistance in restoring oil flow.
He clarified that the loan was blocked by Hungary, not Slovakia, and assumed all formalities would be completed today.
He emphasized that, according to the political agreement reached last December, Slovakia, alongside the Czech Republic and Hungary, would not participate in the loan 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 [the EU] as such,”
he stated.
Slovakia confirms oil deliveries through Druzhba pipeline in line with agreed schedules
Further details emerged from Slovakia regarding oil deliveries via the restarted Druzhba pipeline.
Slovakia is expected to receive 13,500 tonnes of Russian crude daily, amounting to approximately 119,000 tonnes by the end of April.
The Economy Ministry stated,
“Oil intake is currently taking place in accordance with the agreed daily schedule and technical pumping parameters.”
EU risks fallout with US over Trump-linked Balkans pipeline plan
The EU faces potential conflict with the United States after attempting to delay awarding a lucrative Balkans pipeline contract to a company linked to former US President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, according to documents obtained by .
While Brussels has previously clashed with Trump on trade, Ukraine, and military spending, this intervention marks the first challenge to a commercial venture connected to the former president.
The pipeline will traverse Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under reported months of pressure from US officials, Bosnian leaders have expedited awarding the contract to a Wyoming-based company, AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, incorporated in November 2025 with undisclosed ownership.
AAFS is fronted by Jesse Binnall and Joe Flynn, both prominent figures in Trump’s 2020 election challenge campaign. Despite lacking an apparent track record, AAFS plans to invest $1.5 billion in the pipeline and other infrastructure projects.
In March, Bosnian lawmakers passed legislation mandating the contract be awarded to AAFS without a tender process, a move criticized by Transparency International.
Shortly after, the EU’s representative in Sarajevo privately warned Bosnia’s leaders that this jeopardizes their EU accession prospects.
In a letter dated 13 April, EU official Luigi Soreca stressed the importance of coordinating draft laws with the EU under an energy agreement, stating that such coordination is crucial for Bosnia’s European integration and access to financial opportunities.
At least 17 injured after head-on train collision in Denmark
In Denmark, two local trains collided head-on north of Copenhagen, injuring at least 17 people, with four in critical condition, according to emergency services.
Public broadcaster DR released images showing two yellow and grey trains with front-end damage facing each other in a wooded area.
The accident occurred on a line connecting the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup. Police confirmed the collision involved two local trains.
'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 Kyiv to show support for Ukraine in its fifth year of conflict with Russia.
Upon arrival at Kyiv railway station early Thursday, he said,
“It’s good to be back in Ukraine.”
He is scheduled to attend a Kyiv security conference during his two-day trip, which comes as global attention shifts towards the Middle East conflict.
Prince Harry described Ukraine as
“a country bravely and successfully defending Europe’s eastern flank,”
adding,
“It matters that we don’t lose sight of the significance of that.”
No offer was made to rename Donbas as 'Donnyland' to flatter Trump, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed reports that Ukraine proposed renaming the Donbas region "Donnyland" in honor of former US President Donald Trump.
The reports claimed the idea originated as a joke and was later suggested in negotiations to flatter Trump and encourage a tougher stance on Russia.
Responding to , Zelenskyy stated,
“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.”
He added he could not comment on discussions about “other names” but emphasized,
“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 reportedly pressured Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia as part of a peace deal, suggesting it become a Russian-policed demilitarized zone. The Kremlin claims Trump agreed to such a handover during his August summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Zelenskyy rejects this, citing Ukraine’s constitution forbidding ceding territory and noting approximately 200,000 civilians reside in the northern part of Donetsk Oblast still controlled by Kyiv.
Ukrainian commanders believe Putin would violate any peace agreement and use Donbas as a base for future attacks.
