European Union leaders have accused Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of disloyalty and blackmail after he blocked a €90bn (£77bn) loan for Ukraine. No oil = no money, Orbán stated on social media following a summit in Brussels where he refused to lift his veto, citing a dispute over a damaged pipeline that transports Russian oil to Hungary.
The actions of Orbán drew sharp criticism, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeling it as a "gross act of disloyalty" and European Council head António Costa describing it as tantamount to "blackmail.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Orbán has maintained close ties with Russia and has increasingly positioned himself against Ukraine, leveraging these tensions in the lead-up to Hungary's elections on 12 April. Orbán has pointed to energy dependence on Russia, accusing Ukraine of failing to repair the Druzhba pipeline, crucial for oil transport through Ukraine to Hungary.
Kyiv asserts that the pipeline was damaged in January by Russian airstrikes, and its repair may take weeks. However, Orbán has remained resolute, stating that Hungary will not approve the release of EU funds to Ukraine until Ukraine lifts restrictions affecting oil imports.
The EU gathered in a tense session that ended with many leaders expressing frustration at Orbán's posture. Merz noted that colleagues were deeply angered, indicating a significant shift in relations within the bloc. French President Emmanuel Macron called for the prompt implementation of the loan release, while Council President Costa declared Hungary's actions unacceptable.
Orbán, however, remained firm, asserting his country's right to deny the loan. In addition to Orbán, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, another ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, joined him in refusing to support the consensus to release funds.
As the EU leaders plan further discussions, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen emphasized that the loan would be delivered "one way or the other," asserting the necessity of supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
The actions of Orbán drew sharp criticism, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeling it as a "gross act of disloyalty" and European Council head António Costa describing it as tantamount to "blackmail.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Orbán has maintained close ties with Russia and has increasingly positioned himself against Ukraine, leveraging these tensions in the lead-up to Hungary's elections on 12 April. Orbán has pointed to energy dependence on Russia, accusing Ukraine of failing to repair the Druzhba pipeline, crucial for oil transport through Ukraine to Hungary.
Kyiv asserts that the pipeline was damaged in January by Russian airstrikes, and its repair may take weeks. However, Orbán has remained resolute, stating that Hungary will not approve the release of EU funds to Ukraine until Ukraine lifts restrictions affecting oil imports.
The EU gathered in a tense session that ended with many leaders expressing frustration at Orbán's posture. Merz noted that colleagues were deeply angered, indicating a significant shift in relations within the bloc. French President Emmanuel Macron called for the prompt implementation of the loan release, while Council President Costa declared Hungary's actions unacceptable.
Orbán, however, remained firm, asserting his country's right to deny the loan. In addition to Orbán, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, another ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, joined him in refusing to support the consensus to release funds.
As the EU leaders plan further discussions, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen emphasized that the loan would be delivered "one way or the other," asserting the necessity of supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
