The EU failed to agree on a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine: Orban blocks the decision
During a summit in Brussels on March 19, European Union leaders failed to reach a common position on unlocking a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. While most heads of state supported the urgent allocation of funds, Hungary and Slovakia opposed it. This is reported by Bloomberg.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Budapest would not agree to unlock a 90 billion euro loan for Kyiv and would not support any decision in favor of Ukraine.
According to him, a prerequisite for this should be the resumption of oil transit by the Ukrainian side through the Druzhba pipeline.
At the same time, Slovakia insists that its specialists be allowed to inspect the damaged area pipeline.
European Council President Antonio Costa called such a position unacceptable, stressing that it contradicts the principles of treaties, loyal cooperation and actions in a spirit of good will.
Separately, Costa commented on the situation around the Druzhba oil pipeline, noting that Ukraine has confirmed its readiness to fulfill its obligations to the EU.
In particular, Volodymyr Zelensky promised to guarantee stable energy supplies and continue to move forward on the path of further cooperation. On March 17, the European Union offered Ukraine technical assistance and financing for the repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline. Kyiv accepted this proposal.
Several European leaders, including representatives of Finland and Sweden, also expressed dissatisfaction with Hungary’s actions, saying that it was using foreign policy issues for domestic election purposes.
The elections in Hungary are due to be held on April 12, and the topic of aid to Ukraine has already become part of the election campaign.
In the final document of the summit, EU leaders called for increased cooperation with third countries to close Ukraine’s financing deficit, estimated at 30 billion euros. Consideration of the issue of assistance was postponed to the next meeting.
