Druzhba fix opens door for Orbán to back Ukraine loan before EU summit

EU officials say Ukraine accepted technical support and funding to repair the Druzhba pipeline to restore Russian oil flow to Hungary and Slovakia, offering Viktor Orbán a way to back Kyiv’s €90 billion loan ahead of the EU leaders’ summit. Orbán has blocked the loan over oil deliveries, but Zelenskyy’s acceptance and Brussels’ aid raise hopes for a breakthrough, with sanctions and energy-security issues also in play as leaders prepare for Thursday’s talks.