EU formally approves Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia

The European Union on Thursday formally approved a promised 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine as well as a new package of sanctions against Russia, the bloc's Cypriot presidency said on social media platform X.

Lili Bayer and Charlotte Van Campenhout/Reuters

April 23, 2026

EU formally approves Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian and European flags fly, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in central Kyiv, Ukraine August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo

Gleb Garanich/Reuters

BRUSSELS- The European Union on Thursday formally approved a promised 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine as well as a new package of sanctions against Russia, the bloc's Cypriot presidency said on social media platform X.

"The EU's strategy to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine rests on two pillars: strengthening Ukraine; increasing pressure on Russia. Today we moved forward on both," European Council ⁠President Antonio Costa said in a separate post on X.

EU ambassadors had already approved the loan and the sanctions package on Wednesday after Hungary lifted its veto, paving the way for the formal approval.

- Lili Bayer, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by inti Landauro/Reuters