The European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine without the signatures of Orbán and Fico
On March 19, after considering the Ukrainian issue, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, which were supported by 25 leaders of the EU countries. The Prime Ministers of Hungary and Slovakia, Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico, refused to sign the European Council conclusions on Ukraine of March 19.
Despite Viktor Orbán continuing to block the provision of a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine in 2026-27, the conclusions include a paragraph in which the European Council welcomes the adoption of the decision on this loan in December 2025.
“Following its decision of December 2025 to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion support loan for 2026 and 2027, the European Council welcomes the adoption of this loan by the co-legislators and expects the first tranche for Ukraine by early April. In this context, it also calls for increased work with third countries to help close the €30 billion gap that remains in Ukraine’s finances,” the document states.
The European Council also “looks forward to the swift adoption of the 20th sanctions package” and reiterates the importance of “further reducing Russia’s energy revenues and further constraining the Russian banking system.”
“Disrupting the business model of the Russian “shadow fleet” requires a “whole-of-the-road” approach, including addressing the significant environmental, security and maritime safety risks posed by such vessels through a joint approach. In this regard, the European Council calls for further efforts and coordinated action by Member States,” the document states. conclusions.
The document also emphasizes the importance of continuous coordination of sanctions against Russia with the G7 countries and other like-minded partners.
Among other things, the European Council conclusions raise the issue of the threat that Russian ex-combatants pose to the internal security of the EU.
In addition, the European Council emphasizes the need to continue providing military support to Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of supplying air defense systems, ammunition and missiles. EU leaders condemn the deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield in the war against Ukraine, as well as the support provided to Russia by Iran and Belarus.
The European Council reiterated its call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return to Ukraine of all illegally deported and displaced Ukrainian children and other civilians.
