Hungary’s Orban continues to block Ukraine loan at EU summit

Viktor Orban obstructs the implementation of a key Ukraine loan as Russia’s war continues for a fifth year.Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has resisted requests by other European leaders to lift his blockade on a vital 90-billion-euro ($103bn) EU loan to Ukraine, leaving the much-needed funding in limbo.At summit talks in Brussels on Thursday, European officials said efforts by other EU leaders to convince Orban, who has cordial ties with Russia and has clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had failed.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Starmer, Zelenskyy urge ‘focus’ on Ukraine as Iran war diverts attentionlist 2 of 3Ukraine sends 201 military experts to counter Iranian drones in the Gulflist 3 of 3Actor Sean Penn gifted a special ‘Oscar’ by Ukraine’s railway companyend of list“Discussion was ‌tough and rough, but Viktor is still not budging,” one European official told Reuters.Another official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential discussions between leaders, said that “everyone is increasingly angry with Orban.”With Russia’s war in Ukraine in its fifth year, Kyiv is grappling with a ballooning budget deficit and has said there are no alternative financing options if the loan remains blocked.The European Council agreed to the loan in December, but Hungary’s leader has blocked its implementation, citing a dispute over ⁠a war-damaged Druzhba pipeline.The pipeline carried Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia but was damaged by a Russian attack in January. Ukraine ⁠says it will take some time to repair, but Hungary insists it is already ready to ⁠operate and claims Kyiv is deliberately cutting supplies.Speaking before the summit, Orban said, “The Hungarian position is very simple. We are ready to support Ukraine when we get our oil, which is blocked by them.”Ukraine’s president addressed the summit by videolink to plead for the funds’ release.