Hungary to lift ban on EU loan to Ukraine after Kyiv repairs oil pipeline from Russia

Hungary is lifting its veto on a $106 billion loan from the European Union to Ukraine, after Kyiv restored a key pipeline allowing the resumption of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Tuesday the completed repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which had been damaged in a Russian attack.

“We hope the EU will also deliver on the agreed commitments,” Mr. Zelenskyy posted on X. “There has also been no progress for a long time on new sanctions against Russia over this war, which is particularly unhelpful when the United States is easing restrictions.”

Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Kyiv of delaying repairs on the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukraine denied. Peter Magyar, who defeated Mr. Orban in last week’s election, has said he won’t stand in the way of the EU loan.

“Ukraine really needs this loan, and it’s also a sign that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday in Brussels. “This is extremely important at this moment.”

The EU plans to provide Ukraine with the first tranche of the $106 billion loan by the end of May or early June, according to a report by the Ukraine Pravda online newspaper.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.