Writing on X<\/a>, Zelenskyy said that incentives for Russia to end its war in Ukraine \u201ccan arise only when both support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are sufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that Ukraine was fulfilling its obligations in relations with the European Union<\/a> \u2013 even on such sensitive issues as the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline.<\/p>\n He said it was important that the European support package \u201cbecomes operational swiftly\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.56 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 30m ago<\/p>\n New pet travel rules cause headache for UK residents planning holidays in Europe<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy says unblocking of EU loan is ‘the right signal’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Ireland confirms Hungary dropped its veto over \u20ac90bn loan<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Russia confirms plans to suspend flow of Kazakh oil through Druzhba pipeline to Germany<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Russia plans to halt flow of Kazakh oil through Druzhba pipeline to Germany<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n EU’s \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine given preliminary approval; formal procedure to conclude on Thursday, EU presidency says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Hungary drops its opposition to EU’s \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine as oil flows resume<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Oil flows through Druzhba pipeline again, Ukrainian and Hungarian operators say<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Oil price crisis could last months or years, EU’s energy commissioner warns<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Fico doubles down on his criticism of incoming Hungarian PM Magyar’s comments, focus on Bene\u0161 decrees<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Slovakia’s Fico says processes of unblocking EU loan for Ukraine, restarting oil deliveries go ‘hand in hand’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n State interventions to help with energy must be ‘targeted’, commission says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n EU to relax state aid rules, offer measures to help consumers face cost of living spike amid Iran war disruptions<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n EU looks at measures to ease pressures on consumers in face of oil crisis caused by Iran war<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n ‘We live in dangerous world,’ Nato’s Rutte warns, as he calls for ramp up in defence production<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Hungary confirms Druzhba pipeline is ready to resume oil deliveries<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Ukraine started pumping oil through Druzhba with deliveries to Slovakia expected to resume on Thursday, minister says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Morning opening: EU close to signing off on \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine<\/p>\n <\/a>Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Earlier today, we brought you some of the key lines from the European Commission\u2019s briefing on its plans on how to respond to the Middle East oil crisis and potential knock on effects on European households (11:30<\/a>, 11:54<\/a>, 11:56<\/a>, 12:16<\/a>).<\/p>\n So, let\u2019s bring you the full story from our European environment correspondent, Ajit Niranjan<\/p>\n Share<\/a>New pet travel rules cause headache for UK residents planning holidays in Europe British holidaymakers face new rules when taking their pet into the EU involving paperwork costing up to \u00a3200.<\/p>\n Did you get the paperwork, Mom? Photograph: Tolga Akmen\/EPA<\/p>\n Brussels closed a loophole which saw some British pet owners travel on an EU pet passport, which is issued for the life of the animal.<\/p>\n From 22 April, these EU passports will no longer be valid for owners who live full-time in the UK.<\/p>\n Guidance on the UK government website<\/a> say old EU passports \u201cmay no longer be valid\u201d for entry to the continental EU.<\/p>\n In future, they will need to get an animal health certificate for the cat, dog or ferret which can cost up to \u00a3200.<\/p>\n To add to the cost for British travellers, the AHC is only valid for one trip, although it can be used for up to six months within the EU and for re-entering GB as long as rabies vaccinations remain valid.<\/p>\n If someone else other than the owner is transporting the pet, extra paperwork is needed and the pet must travel within five days of the owner entering the EU.<\/p>\n Labour sources said they hoped that the measures would fall away in July by which time the UK hopes to have signed its first \u201creset\u201d deal with the EU.<\/p>\n The pet rules will be part of the agriculture or sanitary and phytosanitary agreement currently under negotiation to reduce trade barriers for food and farm exports.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy says unblocking of EU loan is ‘the right signal’<\/p>\n Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that the unblocking of a \u20ac90bn European Union loan<\/a> to Kyiv was \u201cthe right signal under the current circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n Writing on X<\/a>, Zelenskyy said that incentives for Russia to end its war in Ukraine \u201ccan arise only when both support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are sufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that Ukraine was fulfilling its obligations in relations with the European Union<\/a> \u2013 even on such sensitive issues as the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline.<\/p>\n He said it was important that the European support package \u201cbecomes operational swiftly\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.56 EDT<\/p>\n Ireland confirms Hungary dropped its veto over \u20ac90bn loan<\/p>\n Irish foreign minister Helen McEntee has confirmed that Hungary<\/a> dropped its veto on the \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine.<\/p>\n In a series of posts on X, she said<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cI welcome Hungary\u2019s confirmation in Coreper that it will lift its block on the \u20ac90bn loan, alongside the readiness of both Hungary and Slovakia to lift their block on the 20th sanctions package.<\/p>\n This is a positive and constructive step forward that underscores our shared commitment to unity, solidarity and decisive action at a critical time.<\/p>\n I look forward to the formal confirmation through Council written procedures and to continued close cooperation in advancing our common European priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n Coreper, for those not familiar with Brussels speak, is the Committee of Permanent Representatives, where EU ambassadors meet to hash out issues before they get formally signed off by their national leaders.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Russia confirms plans to suspend flow of Kazakh oil through Druzhba pipeline to Germany<\/p>\n Russia has confirmed Wednesday that it would suspend the shipment of oil from Kazakhstan to Germany from May 1, citing \u201ctechnical\u201d reasons after on from earlier reports <\/a>(see 14.38 CEST<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cFrom 1 May, volumes of Kazakh oil previously transported via the Druzhba pipeline to Germany will indeed be redirected to other available logistics routes. This is due to current technical capacities,\u201d Russia\u2019s deputy prime minister Alexander Novak told journalists, including from AFP, at the Kremlin.<\/p>\n He did not give a timeline for the resumption of supplies.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The German government on Wednesday halved its growth forecast for this year as the energy shock triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran hammers Europe\u2019s biggest economy, Reuters reports.<\/p>\n The economy ministry said it expected gross domestic product (GDP) to expand 0.5% in 2026, down from a projection of 1% made in January.<\/p>\n It also cut its forecast for 2027 to 0.9%, down from 1.3%.<\/p>\n Hopes had been high that the eurozone\u2019s traditional growth engine would sputter back to life in 2026 after years of stagnation, driven by Chancellor Friedrich Merz\u2019s public spending blitz.<\/p>\n But the jump in oil and gas prices since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran has dealt the economy a heavy blow, pushing up overall inflation and raising costs for the country\u2019s crucial manufacturers.<\/p>\n Presenting the new forecasts, economy minister Katherina Reiche said that before the conflict, there had been signs of a moderate recovery.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the escalation in the Middle East has set us back economically,\u201d she told a press conference. \u201cThe shock has hit the structurally weakened German economy hard once again.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Russia plans to halt flow of Kazakh oil through Druzhba pipeline to Germany<\/p>\n But at the same time it looks like Russia<\/a> plans to halt the flow of Kazakh oil through the Druzhba pipeline to a refinery in eastern Germany starting 1 May, according to what the German energy ministry told AFP.<\/p>\n A general view of the PCK refinery, a crude oil processing facility supplying gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and fuel oil, in Schwedt\/Oder, Germany. Photograph: Lisi Niesner\/Reuters<\/p>\n The German subsidiary of Russia\u2019s state-owned oil company Rosneft told German regulators that the Russian energy ministry had ordered the halt, the ministry confirmed to AFP, adding that Moscow had not confirmed the decision directly to the German government.<\/p>\n Rosneft Germany \u201cis currently assessing the implications\u201d of the pipeline closure for the refinery and is \u201cutilising all available options to ensure security of supply in Germany\u201d, the ministry said.<\/p>\n The German government took Rosneft Germany into trusteeship in the wake of Russia\u2019s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and European Union<\/a> sanctions on the Russian energy sector.<\/p>\n The PCK refinery near the Polish border supplies much of the Berlin region with fuel, but the German government voiced confidence that the impact would be limited, AFP said.<\/p>\n Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said that changes in the \u201coutput from the pipeline will not significantly restrict refinery operations\u201d, although he added that officials are keeping a close eye on the availability of kerosene in particular.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, a German government spokesperson said that the disbursement of the much-promised \u20ac90bn EU loan to Ukraine<\/a> could happen within 24 hours, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n Obviously, that\u2019s if Hungary<\/a> does not object in writing before tomorrow\u2019s final deadline for the formal procedure.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.30 EDT<\/p>\n Lithuania\u2019s president Gitanas Naus\u0117da is the first leader to celebrate the apparent breakthrough on the \u20ac90bn loan.<\/p>\n In a post on X, he said:<\/p>\n \u201cWelcoming the long-awaited decision to unlock \u20ac90bn for Ukraine. Europe delivers when united. We stand firmly with Ukraine and President @ZelenskyyU.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a> With the written process ending tomorrow afternoon, it all sets us up nicely for a big moment in the evening, when the EU leaders arrive for their meeting in Cyprus, so they can celebrate the breakthrough and the disbursement of the much-needed money for Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n In this context, it\u2019s probably not that surprising that Hungary\u2019s outgoing prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n who had been blocking the loan for the last four months is planning to skip tomorrow\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n The incoming prime minister, P\u00e9ter Magyar, can\u2019t represent Hungary until he takes office early next month.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>EU’s \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine given preliminary approval; formal procedure to conclude on Thursday, EU presidency says<\/p>\n And here it is.<\/p>\n The Cypriot presidency of the European Union<\/a> has just confirmed that the \u20ac90bn loan has been given a preliminary go-ahead by EU ambassadors.<\/p>\n Curiously, they say the 20th package of sanctions against Russia has also been given a preliminary green light. Slovakia\u2019s Fico suggested earlier that Slovakia would continue to block them until the pipeline is \u201cactually reopened\u201d (12:02<\/a>), so it sounds like he\u2019s satisfied that it has.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will now go through a written procedure for their final adoption by the Council,\u201d a Cypriot presidency spokesperson said.<\/p>\n The written procedure is expected to conclude tomorrow afternoon, which conveniently is also when the EU leaders are set to meet in Cyprus.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s see if there are any late plot twists in this saga.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.57 EDT<\/p>\n Hungary drops its opposition to EU’s \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine as oil flows resume<\/p>\n And we are now hearing via Reuters that as the Druzhba pipeline is now operational, Hungary has withdrawn its opposition to the finalisation of the \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine.<\/p>\n Czech TV \u010cT24 also says<\/a> the final process to approve the loan is now under way.<\/p>\n We will no doubt get a more official confirmation pretty soon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.00 EDT<\/p>\n Oil flows through Druzhba pipeline again, Ukrainian and Hungarian operators say<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the official confirmation!<\/p>\n Hungarian oil giant MOL just passed on a message<\/a> from the Ukrainian operator, JSC Ukrtransnafta, that \u201cthe receipt of crude oil from Belarus via the Druzhba pipeline system began in Ukraine at noon today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMOL expects the first crude oil shipments following the restart of the Ukrainian section of the pipeline system to arrive in Hungary<\/a> and Slovakia by tomorrow at the latest,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n![\"Lisa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776869111_406_Lisa-OCarroll-byline-004.jpg\")
Lisa O\u2019Carroll<\/p>\n![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776869111_807_Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n