European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv on February 24, 2026, to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but arrived without the substantial financial aid package initially anticipated. The visit underscores the ongoing international support for Ukraine as the conflict continues.
Von der Leyen, accompanied by European Council President António Costa, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm the European Union’s commitment to Ukraine. However, the EU officials did not bring with them the promised €90 billion in financial assistance.
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / KEYSTONE
The delay in funding is due to objections from Hungary, led by Viktor Orbán, who is blocking the aid because Ukraine has not repaired a pipeline used to transport Russian oil to Hungary. Orbán’s stance is seen as an attempt to influence upcoming Hungarian elections, with Kyiv and Brussels hoping for a different outcome.
Zelenskyy reportedly dismissed the idea of repairing the pipeline, questioning its necessity. Von der Leyen responded by stating that the funds would be delivered “one way or another,” suggesting alternative options were being explored.
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According to Costa, a former lawyer, there are clauses within EU treaties that could be used to circumvent Hungary’s veto. This development highlights the EU’s willingness to discover legal loopholes to achieve its objectives.
The situation has sparked criticism, with some observers questioning the EU’s practice of allocating public funds without direct public consent and utilizing legal maneuvers to bypass democratic processes. The incident could accelerate scrutiny of the EU’s structure, and effectiveness.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to pressuring Russia to end the war, stating that “Putin’s war of attrition is increasingly weakening Russia, and we are determined to continue to exert pressure on Russia to end its aggression and engage in meaningful peace negotiations.”
