Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko condemned Hungary's veto of a €90 billion European Union loan designed to stabilize Ukraine’s economy. The blockage stems from Budapest’s demand that Ukraine halt alleged sabotage of a Soviet-era pipeline transporting cheap Russian oil-a claim Kyiv denies.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán insisted, "There will be no money for Ukraine until flows resume," framing the issue as a matter of national interest, not politics. European leaders, including Finland’s Petteri Orpo, accused Orbán of weaponizing Ukraine for domestic political gain.
European Council President António Costa rebuked Hungary for violating the EU’s principle of "sincere cooperation." Despite intense frustration, leaders ruled out reopening debate on seizing frozen Russian assets-a politically dead option since December.
Marchenko, however, signaled a strategic pivot: "The best signal would be the reparations loan. Russia must pay for the damage." He affirmed Ukraine remains committed to pursuing reparations, even as the €90 billion package remains stalled.