Hungary set to clear Ukraine's €90 billion EU loan

EU officials are confident that Hungary will lift its opposition to a €90 billion loan for Ukraine when the matter comes to a vote on Thursday, clearing the way for billions of euros in financial support to reach Kyiv as oil sanctions on Budapest are set to take effect. The development marks a significant breakthrough in stalled negotiations over one of the largest-ever support packages for the war-torn country, with EU diplomats reportedly optimistic that a compromise on energy imports satisfied Budapest's remaining concerns. The timing of the vote coincides with a broader package of measures designed to balance support for Ukraine against the economic impact on member states dependent on Russian energy. The anticipated loan approval comes amid heightened tensions between the EU and Russia following a diplomatic incident involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Russian state television broadcast segments branding Meloni "fascist scum," prompting Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to denounce the remarks as "extremely serious and offensive." The incident represents a significant escalation in Moscow's rhetorical attacks on European leaders and threatens to further strain already fragile EU-Russia relations. Meanwhile, EU member states rejected a push led by Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland to suspend the bloc's association agreement with Israel, falling short of the unanimity required to limit the country's preferential access to the single market. In other developments, lawmakers across the political spectrum are urging the European Parliament to abandon its monthly plenary sessions in Strasbourg, citing soaring energy costs. The institution's practice of alternating between Brussels and the French city has long been a source of criticism due to logistical expenses, but the current energy crisis has intensified calls to consolidate all parliamentary work in Brussels. The debate over the EU Parliament's dual-seat arrangement dates back decades and remains one of the bloc's most enduring institutional controversies.