European Union leaders have condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for blocking a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, calling his move disloyal and tantamount to blackmail.
"No oil = no money," Orbán declared on X after refusing to lift his veto at Thursday’s Brussels summit. He cited damage to the Druzhba pipeline-carrying Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary-as justification.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled Orbán’s actions "a gross act of disloyalty," while European Council President António Costa called them "completely unacceptable." France’s Emmanuel Macron described the outcome as "unprecedented" and insisted the loan must proceed without delay.
Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by Russian airstrikes in January and argues restoring oil flow would effectively ease sanctions on Moscow. Despite previously approving the aid package, Orbán now ties its release to Kyiv lifting the “oil blockade.”
Slovakia’s Robert Fico also declined to endorse the summit conclusions, but EU unanimity is required for the loan. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed the funds will be delivered “one way or another.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the stalled support jeopardizes lives, calling it a “critical” security guarantee. Orbán, seeking re-election on April 12, has consistently obstructed both Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions.