In brief
During a recent EU summit, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's veto of a €90 billion loan for Ukraine has drawn fierce criticism from fellow EU leaders, who accuse him of blackmail over energy disputes. Orbán's actions come as he seeks to strengthen domestic support ahead of upcoming elections amidst his continuing close ties with Russia.
European Union leaders have accused Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of disloyalty and blackmail after he blocked a €90 billion (£77 billion) loan for Ukraine. No oil = no money, Orbán stated on social media following the summit in Brussels, where he refused to lift his veto, citing a feud over a damaged pipeline that transports Russian oil to Hungary.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz branded Orbán's actions as a gross act of disloyalty, while European Council head António Costa described them as tantamount to blackmail. Orbán has notably maintained close ties with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine, making hostility towards Ukraine a provocative issue ahead of elections scheduled for April 12.Hungary’s dependency on Russian energy remains a crucial point of contention, with Orbán blaming Ukraine for the disruption of energy supplies due to a Soviet-era pipeline called Druzhba, which has allegedly been damaged by Russian airstrikes.Despite earlier commitments, Orbán's refusal to release EU funds to Ukraine reflects the growing frustration among EU leaders regarding his position. Macron and other leaders emphasized the necessity for disbursing the funds without delay, underscoring that nobody can blackmail the European institutions.In a defiant stance, Orbán remains firm on his decision to deny the Ukrainian loan as he emphasizes the importance of energy security for Hungary. The unfolding situation has sparked significant outrage within the EU, highlighting the complexities of geopolitics amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
