Germany Urges Immediate Release of €90 Billion EU Loan for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for the rapid release of a €90 billion ($106 billion) European Union loan earmarked for Ukraine. The call comes in the wake of an electoral defeat for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose administration had previously served as a primary obstacle to the funding's approval. During a meeting in Berlin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Merz emphasized the urgency of the financial support to sustain Kyiv's war effort. The two leaders focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, specifically targeting the expansion of air defense systems and the scaling of drone production to meet current battlefield demands. Beyond immediate financial aid, Merz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to Ukraine's eventual membership in the European Union. He explicitly rejected the notion of a "second class" membership, though he acknowledged that the formal accession process is expected to be a prolonged endeavor. The removal of Hungarian veto power signals a more streamlined fiscal approach within the EU regarding security assistance. This shift is likely to provide greater predictability for European defense contractors and stabilize expectations regarding the long-term financial viability of Ukraine's defense infrastructure.