French Minister Urges "Accelerated Pressure" on Russia and Release of €90B Ukraine Loan

France's Benjamin Haddad calls for accelerated EU pressure on Russia and the release of a €90B loan for Ukraine ahead of his diplomatic visit to Kyiv.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 12:38 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency World.

A Diplomatic Mission to Reaffirm Support

Minister Benjamin Haddad’s upcoming trip to Kyiv is timed to mark the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Bucha, a site that became a global symbol of the conflict’s humanitarian toll. Haddad will join fellow EU foreign ministers to underscore that while the world’s attention has shifted toward the intensifying wars in the Middle East, the aggression in Ukraine remains a critical priority for the European Union. The minister cited a staggering increase in Russian aerial attacks over the past week—including 3,000 drones and 1,500 bombs—as evidence that the conflict is entering a more volatile phase.

The 20th Sanctions Package and Energy Pressure

Central to Haddad’s agenda is the push for a 20th round of EU sanctions. Unlike previous iterations, this package is intended to strike directly at Russia's remaining energy exports, which continue to fund Moscow's military operations. Haddad explicitly criticized recent U.S. decisions to ease sanctions on Russian oil exports to India, arguing that such concessions provide a lifeline to the Russian economy and strengthen the military-industrial partnership between Moscow and Tehran.

Breaking the €90 Billion Deadlock

A major point of friction within the EU remains the €90 billion loan intended for Ukraine’s financial and military stability. Despite an agreement between all 27 member states in December, the funds remain blocked by Hungary. Haddad characterized this delay as a threat to the "credibility of the European Union." He emphasized that this financial support is essential for Ukraine’s continued defense, particularly as France coordinates more closely with Kyiv on advanced military intelligence and drone defense systems.