Zelensky Says Druzhba Pipeline Ready, EU Loan for Ukraine Nearer

On 22 April 2026, Zelensky said the Druzhba pipeline was ready and that an EU loan for Ukraine was nearer. Reuters and CNN wrote that the Druzhba pipeline restarted Russian oil flows to Europe, unblocking the EU loan for Kyiv. Zelensky called the unblocking of the loan and new sanctions a “signal” for Russia.

Zelensky told CNN that talks on Ukraine cannot wait until after the war in Iran is over, and urged the US to negotiate on Ukraine and Iran in parallel. Peskov said Putin is ready to meet Zelensky only in the final stage of an agreement, and Putin said he would meet Zelensky only to finalize an end to the war. Zakharova called Zelensky’s actions terrorist. Zelensky also announced a pantheon of outstanding Ukrainians.