EU Approves €90 Billion Ukraine Aid, 20th Russia Sanctions Package on April 23
The EU approved a €90 billion aid package for Ukraine and its 20th sanctions package against Russia on April 23, following months of disputes. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy hailed the decisions as crucial for defense and EU relations. The aid, covering two years, will support Ukraine's military, budget, and social obligations, with the first tranche expected in May or June.
The European Union approved a €90 billion support package for Ukraine and adopted its 20th sanctions package against Russia on April 23, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He described these decisions as a major step for Ukraine’s defense and its ties with the bloc.
This breakthrough followed months of internal EU disputes, with Hungary and Slovakia dropping their vetoes. Their objections were linked to disagreements over the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Zelenskyy had prioritized unlocking the €90 billion loan and advancing sanctions.
The €90 billion package, covering two years, will strengthen Ukraine’s military, support its budget, and help meet social obligations. Ukraine aims for the first tranche in May or June. Funds will be directed toward domestic weapons production, arms procurement from partners, and protecting energy infrastructure for winter. The package is financed through EU borrowing on capital markets, with repayment linked to proceeds from frozen Russian sovereign assets. This funding is expected to cover about two-thirds of Ukraine’s projected budget gap for 2026–2027.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the 20th sanctions package should not be the last, calling for further pressure on Moscow. Ukraine will continue discussions on new cooperation formats, including joint defense initiatives like «Drone Deals».