€90bn loan for Ukraine: EU chief diplomat expects positive decision on 22 April

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council that she expects positive decisions on a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine on Wednesday 22 April.

"So, first we discuss, of course, the war in Ukraine. And we expect some positive decisions tomorrow on the €90 billion loan. Ukraine really needs this loan, and it is also a sign that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine. This is extremely important at this moment," Kallas said. 

Kallas also said she hopes that a decision on new sanctions against Russia, currently stalled due to Hungary's position, could soon be unblocked.

On 17-18 April, a European Commission delegation held technical meetings in Budapest with Hungary's incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar and his team.

Magyar indicated that he will not block the €90bn EU loan for Ukraine, as the decision has already been made, although he confirmed that Budapest will not participate in it.

EU ambassadors are expected to give final approval to the €90 billion package for Ukraine on 22 April.