EU leaders did not convince Viktor Orbán to lift the veto: Hungary is blocking the 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine due to the transit of Russian oil through Druzhba.

The leaders of the European Union have failed to convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to lift the blockade on a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, during the European Council in Brussels. Viktor Orbán refused to yield, citing a dispute related to the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.

This position has generated anger among European leaders, who emphasize that Ukraine could run out of funds in a few weeks. European officials stated that discussions with Viktor Orbán were intense but without result. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that Hungary's veto is unacceptable, while his Finnish counterpart, Petteri Orpo, accused Hungary of using Ukraine as a weapon in the electoral campaign.

Viktor Orbán reiterated that he will block the loan until the resumption of Russian oil transit, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever suggested that the EU might wait until after the elections in Hungary to unlock the aid. Ukraine depends on this aid to support its social spending and defense against Russian aggression.