This month’s electoral defeat of Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban, Ukraine’s harshest EU foe, could pave the way for the loan that Kyiv urgently needs to fund the war with Russia.

The loan was originally agreed upon by all EU member states in December.

“We expect some positive decisions tomorrow on the €90 billion loan,” Kallas told reporters today, as EU foreign ministers gathered to meet in Luxembourg.

“Ukraine really needs this loan and it’s also a sign that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine. This is extremely important at this moment,” she added.

That view was echoed by Irish foreign minister Helen McEntee.

“It’s really important as an EU that we make progress on the €90 billion loan, that we make progress on the 20th package of sanctions and that we’re able to exert as much pressure as possible on Russia,” she said.

“I was in Ukraine with a number of colleagues in recent weeks and what’s very clear is that we are at that breaking point where that loan is absolutely essential,” added McEntee.