EU Summit: Orbán maintains opposition to Ukraine loan after EU talks
Hungary is continuing to oppose a 90 billion EUR loan to Ukraine, even after discussions with European leaders at the Brussels summit, according to European sources.
Several leaders strongly criticised Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán. Prime minister Bart De Wever described the move as “unacceptable”, while Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo called it “betrayal”. Orbán had previously indicated in December that he would not block the loan if Hungary did not bear the financial burden.
Orbán told reporters he would only support the loan if Hungary resumes receiving Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. According to Ukraine, the pipeline was damaged by Russia, while Hungary and Slovakia claim Kyiv is delaying repairs.
© PHOTO GEERT VANDEN WIJNGAERT / POOL / AFP
European Council president António Costa rejected the linkage, calling Orbán’s stance unacceptable and contrary to the principles of good faith and loyal cooperation under EU treaties. He stressed that the loan and the pipeline are separate issues, adding that the EU is working with Ukraine to restore the infrastructure.
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico also expressed reservations, saying his country is paying the price for the pipeline disruption and does not support the summit conclusions on Ukraine. Those conclusions were ultimately endorsed by 25 of the EU’s 27 leaders.
Zelenskyy urges swift support
In a video address to the summit, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky described the loan as “the most important financial security guarantee” for his country and criticised the lack of clarity surrounding it.
He also thanked partners for support through the PURL initiative, under which allies purchase American weapons for Ukraine. “We must use every opportunity to find missiles for Patriot air defence systems,” he said.
“We know that not everyone supports the idea of using part of the 90 billion to buy Patriot missiles if there are no other options. But if there really are no other options, this is necessary to protect us against Russian ballistic missiles. This is about saving lives.”
The European Commission had hoped to release the first tranche of the loan in early April, amid concerns over Ukraine’s financial position. However, a new support package from the IMF is expected to ease immediate pressure until mid-May.
Some leaders link Orbán’s stance to Hungary’s parliamentary elections on 12 April. Zelensky also pointed to the blockade in calling for a clear timetable for Ukraine’s EU accession, warning that “Russia cannot block our accession in any way”.
While the EU has avoided setting a fixed date, insisting the process must remain merit-based, it has long sought to open negotiation clusters with Ukraine, a step that Hungary continues to block.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to EU leaders via video during a roundtable of the EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 19, 2026. © PHOTO GEERT VANDEN WIJNGAERT / POOL / AFP
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