Zelenskyy urges EU council to unlock €90 billion in aid for Ukraine
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (president.gov.ua)
Ukraine has fulfilled all the technical requirements to resume operations of the Druzhba oil pipeline and is now expecting the European Union to unblock a €90 billion financial aid package. The future of transit and support now depends on a political decision by EU leaders, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address to participants of the European Council meeting.
Unblocking aid and the oil issue
According to the head of state, the Ukrainian side has completed its part of the agreements, including through the work of Naftogaz and Ukrtransnafta energy companies.
This should serve as a basis for providing financial guarantees for 2026–2027, which were blocked in the spring.
"Ukraine, for its part, is doing what is needed, including on the oil pipeline... But the decision is yours - whether you want Russian oil to be imported by Europe, knowing that it helps the aggressor," Zelenskyy said.
Preparation for winter and air defense needs
The President noted that due to ongoing Russian attacks on the energy sector, funding is needed immediately. At least €5 billion from the large aid package should be allocated to ensure the resilience of the energy system already this winter.
"We need to act quickly to protect our energy system and rebuild what was destroyed by Russia. Time matters. This work must start now," he stressed.
In addition to energy, these funds are needed to settle payments with European manufacturers under contracts for the supply of aircraft and air defense systems.
Earlier, the European Union offered Ukraine assistance in repairing the Druzhba oil pipeline amid Hungary’s position.
Budapest has long been blocking the allocation of funds and new sanctions against Russia, demanding the restoration of oil transit through Ukrainian territory.
The situation around EU aid and the Druzhba oil pipeline
Despite Hungary’s continued blocking, the European Union is moving forward with technical preparations to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan. In Brussels, the focus is on ensuring that political obstacles do not halt the process of delivering financial support.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed confidence that partners will find effective mechanisms to bypass Hungary’s veto. The ministry stressed that these funds are critically important not only for Ukraine’s economy, but also for broader European security.
Also today, March 19, European experts arrived in Ukraine to inspect the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged by a Russian attack. The mission aims to assess the actual condition of the facility and the technical possibilities for restoring oil transit, which is one of the conditions for unblocking the aid.
