All articles tagged with #ukraine loan
EU leaders condemn Viktor Orbán after he vetoes the EU's €90 billion loan to Ukraine over the Druzhba oil disruption, leaving a funding deadlock with Hungary's election looming and no immediate alternative plan in sight.
At a Brussels summit, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán blocked the EU’s €90bn loan to Ukraine, tying its release to Kyiv addressing an oil-flow dispute over the Druzhba pipeline. European leaders condemned the veto as disloyalty and blackmail, while the Commission pledged to deliver the funds despite Hungary’s stance, underscoring tensions ahead of elections and Orbán’s Russia-aligned posture.
At a high-stakes EU summit, leaders urge de-escalation in the Iran conflict, defend multilateralism, and seek relief from soaring energy prices, while Hungary’s Viktor Orbán maintains a veto on a €90 billion Ukraine loan and Germany calls for an international mandate before any Middle East involvement; discussions also focus on climate policies, the ETS, and keeping Ukraine funded amid energy-security tensions.
EU officials say Ukraine accepted technical support and funding to repair the Druzhba pipeline to restore Russian oil flow to Hungary and Slovakia, offering Viktor Orbán a way to back Kyiv’s €90 billion loan ahead of the EU leaders’ summit. Orbán has blocked the loan over oil deliveries, but Zelenskyy’s acceptance and Brussels’ aid raise hopes for a breakthrough, with sanctions and energy-security issues also in play as leaders prepare for Thursday’s talks.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán proposed a fact-finding mission to the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba oil pipeline to assess damage from a Russian attack and help resume deliveries, while admitting political difficulties caused by his veto of a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine. The mission would involve Hungarian and Slovak experts; timing and Kyiv’s approval remain unclear as EU officials push repairs and consider an Adria route as an alternative.
Hungary's Viktor Orbán vows to veto the EU's €90 billion Ukraine loan until Kyiv restarts oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline, arguing the move requires a political decision by Ukraine and citing new circumstances. EU Council President António Costa presses Kyiv to unblock the loan and warns that delay could undermine EU decisions, as Kyiv faces a cash shortfall with an April deadline. Costa will travel to Ukraine with Ursula von der Leyen amid Hungary's election season.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys urged reform of EU voting rules to curb Hungary’s habit of using its veto, citing Budapest’s blocking of a €90 billion Ukraine loan and a sanctions package over oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline; he suggested shifting to qualified majority voting and even restricting voting rights in some areas, warning that continued vetoes could threaten the EU’s geopolitical role.
During an EU summit, Belgium blocked a €140 billion loan to Ukraine funded by Russian assets, citing concerns over guarantees and potential retaliation, leading to a weaker consensus and ongoing negotiations on the plan.