Hungary continues to block a €90 billion loan as Italy’s Giorgia Meloni reportedly expressed support for Budapest’s stance.
EU to provide controversial loan to Ukraine “one way or another,” Despite being blocked by Hungary, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
Budapest vetoed an EU €90 billion ($105 billion) emergency loan to Ukraine after Kiev blocked Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline – a key supply route to Hungary and Slovakia.
“We will repay the loan one way or the other,” Von der Leyen told reporters after a summit in Brussels on Thursday, where EU leaders failed to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to lift his veto.
Orban, who faces elections next month, has repeatedly accused Kiev of deliberately blocking supplies for political reasons and said this week he would withhold the loan until oil supplies resume. “If there is no oil, there is no money,” He said.
EU officials, who have so far avoided direct confrontation, have increased pressure on the Hungarian leader by condemning Budapest. “unacceptable” Resistance during their meeting in Brussels. EU Council President Antonio Costa said, “No one can blackmail the European Council.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared Orban’s veto illegal “An act of grave betrayal.”
Brussels officials are reportedly considering stripping Hungary of voting rights in order to push loans to Kiev.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni broke with most EU leaders while expressing understanding of Orbán’s position during closed-door talks on Thursday, according to Politico. At the meeting, he reaffirmed his support for the loan, while reportedly indicating his understanding for Orbán, the outlet said, citing diplomats from the four countries.
One diplomat reportedly said Meloni described Orbán’s stance as “General” Because “Things are changing” Add: “If I was in the same situation, I would understand.” The Italian government denied the comments, with a Rome official blaming “Completely baseless.”
The dispute has deepened the feud between Kiev and Budapest, escalating to personal threats against Orbán by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. Hungary has long been in conflict with Ukraine, opposing its EU and NATO efforts and funding its war efforts against Russia.
