The European Commission has delayed approving a credit plan for Hungary tied to the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense program, according to a report from Polish radio station RMF24 on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The hold-up stems from a veto by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding the provision of aid to Ukraine.
While the European Commission maintains it is still reviewing Hungary’s application for a €16 billion credit, sources in Brussels told RMF24 that the Commission is reluctant to grant the loan. These sources indicate Orbán is “violating the principle of loyal cooperation” and blocking funding for Ukraine. The move underscores growing tensions between Hungary and other EU members over support for Kyiv.
According to RMF24, the European Commission had planned to freeze Budapest’s application under the SAFE program – designed to rapidly bolster the defense capabilities of EU countries – as early as February 2026, ahead of parliamentary elections in April. The delay reflects hopes in Brussels that a change in government in Hungary may be forthcoming.
Orbán confirmed his veto on a €90 billion loan to Ukraine for military assistance during an EU summit on March 19, 2026. EU leaders had agreed to the credit in December 2025, but Hungary subsequently blocked procedural decisions. Budapest has stated it will continue to block aid until Kyiv restores the transit of Russian oil through Ukrainian territory, which was halted following an attack on the Druzhba pipeline in late January 2026.
