EU Leaders Urge Hungary’s Orban to Lift Block on €90 Billion Ukraine Loan
European Union leaders are set to press Viktor Orban to lift his blockade on a crucial €90 billion ($103 billion) EU loan to Ukraine, aimed at supporting Kyiv in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The loan, agreed upon by EU leaders in December, has been stalled by Orban, who cited a dispute over the Druzhba pipeline damaged by Russian attacks in January. While Ukraine has pledged to repair the pipeline with EU technical and financial support, Hungary maintains it is ready to operate and links oil deliveries to the release of the funds.
Orban’s refusal has raised concerns about Kyiv’s immediate financial needs and the credibility of the European Council, the EU’s highest decision-making body. Other EU officials, including Nikos Christodoulides, have emphasized that political commitments made in December must now be implemented.
The Hungarian leader, a nationalist ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, remains firm on his stance, stating on X: “No oil deliveries? No money. It’s that simple.” EU diplomats expect intense negotiations at Thursday’s summit as leaders seek to resolve the impasse and ensure continued financial support for Ukraine.
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