Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has maintained his veto on the joint €90 billion EU loan intended to support Ukraine. At the EU summit on Thursday, leaders debated the issue for over 90 minutes, but Orbán refused to lift his block, citing the shutdown of the Druzhba oil pipeline—previously carrying Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia—as an existential issue for Hungary.
“The Hungarian position is very simple. We are ready to support Ukraine when we get our oil, which is blocked by them,” Orbán said on arrival. He made clear that EU funds for Ukraine must be tied to the reopening of the pipeline, asserting that Hungary would not allow the disbursement while oil flows remain halted.
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico supported Hungary’s position, saying that “Ukraine’s actions should not supersede the interests of member states.” Both Hungary and Slovakia had previously sent a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticizing what they called a slow and ineffective EU response to the pipeline situation and accusing the Commission of prioritizing Ukraine over member states.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó highlighted that Hungary is well-prepared, with alternative transport routes in place, increased reserves, and reinforced regional cooperation. He urged Volodymyr Zelensky and Ursula von der Leyen to lift the blockade immediately, stressing that the Druzhba pipeline remains technically capable of transporting oil. Earlier in March, Fico also claimed that satellite images prove the Druzhba oil pipeline is fully operational.
EU diplomats expressed frustration with Hungary’s stance. One official said after the summit: “No movement from Orbán.We all know it’s linked to the elections—we are going to have to be creative.”
“We are waiting for the oil,” Orbán told reporters.
The standoff also blocked the adoption of the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, joining via videolink, warned that the stalled €90 billion financial safety net is “critical for saving lives.”
As a result, the EU issued only a brief joint conclusion, agreeing to revisit the matter at the next meeting in late April.
