European Council Begins as Orbán Remains Defiant on Ukraine Loan Veto
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continued to block a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine on Thursday, despite intense pressure from other European leaders. The dispute highlights divisions within the European Union as Ukraine continues to seek financial support amid ongoing conflict.
“Hungary’s position is particularly simple: we will help Ukraine when we get our oil,” Orbán stated as the European Council convened. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was scheduled to address the summit via video link.
Budapest is conditioning the disbursement of the loan on the resumption of Russian oil supplies through a pipeline that runs through Ukraine and was damaged by Russian shelling. Orbán accuses Kyiv of delaying its repair. However, in December, Hungary, along with Slovakia and the Czech Republic, secured an agreement to not participate in the loan while still allowing it to proceed for other EU members. European sources indicate that without these funds, Ukraine may be unable to finance its budget beyond May.
High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas expressed pessimism about a breakthrough, stating, “I’m not very optimistic.” She added, “It is really the moment to demonstrate our support for Ukraine, since the war in the Middle East is linked to the war in Ukraine and, unfortunately, Russia benefits from the war in the Middle East.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized the importance of upholding commitments, saying, “If you say you are committed to something – then that commitment must be respected. This has always been the spirit of the European Council, as is the spirit of loyal cooperation between institutions. Parliament voted on the 90 billion loan to Kyiv and the decision was likewise formalized by the Council, now we expect it to be implemented.”
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the call for action upon arrival in Brussels, stating, “We must implement the loan to Ukraine,” in line with other European leaders.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the principle of reliability within the EU, saying, “The guiding principle of work in the European Union is the principle of loyalty and reliability. And I assume that all member states of the European Union will respect this.”
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo accused Orbán of using Ukraine for domestic political gain, stating, “Viktor Orbán is using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaign, and that is not correct. We had an agreement.”
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten declared the Hungarian veto “unacceptable,” adding, “Additional aid to Ukraine must be disbursed as quickly as possible. We should not discuss any ‘plan B,’ because by doing so we would give in to Orbán’s blackmail, and that is the last thing we should do.”
On Tuesday, EU leaders attempted to find a compromise by announcing financial assistance and dispatching a team of experts to help reopen the Druzhba pipeline.
Orbán, seeking a fifth consecutive term as prime minister – a position he has held since 2010 – remained unmoved. “Today the EU proposed that we capitulate (and vote) for what the Ukrainians want!” he reportedly said, adding, “It’s a ‘no.’”
Is this another bluff from a leader known for raising the stakes before backing down? European leaders want to believe so, but are not entirely convinced. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever admitted, “It will be complicated before the elections in Hungary, I have the impression that it is part of his election campaign.”
