EU formally approves €90bn Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia

Leaders will discuss how to respond to surging energy prices amid the war in the Middle East

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

EU leaders have welcomed the end of diplomatic deadlock over a long-awaited €90bn loan for Ukraine, after the bloc finalised the agreement along with a 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

After weeks of delay, the EU signed off on the loan on Thursday, in time for summit talks in Cyprus that are scheduled to begin in the evening and will include talks over a dinner with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.