EU close to signing off on critical €90bn loan for Ukraine after months of vetoing from Hungary – Europe live

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Hungary's anti-LGBTQ legislation violates EU law on several levels. The court found that the Hungarian government's 2021 legislation, aimed at punishing child abuse, was amended to ban the promotion of homosexuality among under-18s and led to the banning of books, plays, and films. Critics compared it to Russia's gay propaganda law, and it was seen as stigmatizing LGBTQ people and equating same-sex relations to pedophilia. The legislation sparked widespread protests, with 100,000 people defying the ban at last year's Budapest Pride march. Hungary's new leader, Peter Magyar, has pledged to reset ties with the EU and unblock frozen funds, following the country's defeat in elections. The ruling is considered a landmark victory for human rights in the EU.

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Hungary's anti-LGBTQ laws are in breach of EU values. The laws, which include a ban on public events involving the LGBTQ community, were passed with the support of Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party and have been challenged by the Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar. Magyar's party won a supermajority in the National Assembly, allowing them to reverse the legislation. The European Commission has stated that it will take up the issue with the new government once it is in place. The ruling is seen as a significant development for LGBTQ rights in Hungary, and it is now up to the Hungarian government to abide by the decision.

Ukraine has announced the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Europe, is ready to resume operations after repairs from damage sustained during Russia's invasion. President Zelenskyy hopes this will lead to Hungary unblocking a 90-million-euro EU loan for Ukraine, which has been delayed due to Hungary's dependence on Russian oil. Hungary and Slovakia had previously accused Ukraine of delaying repairs to the pipeline, which was damaged in late January. The EU banned seaborne Russian oil imports but allowed land flows to continue. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas anticipates a positive decision on the loan, with EU ambassadors expected to finalize its release.