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

The EU is nearing approval of a crucial €90 billion loan for Ukraine after months of Hungarian opposition. Member states are meeting to discuss the loan, which has been delayed due to disagreements between Kyiv and outgoing Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán. The breakthrough follows Ukraine's confirmation that the Druzhba pipeline, vital for Russian oil imports to Hungary and Slovakia, has been repaired. EU officials anticipate a positive decision on the financial aid package within the next 24 hours. The loan is considered critical for Ukraine's continued stability and defense efforts.

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.

Following Viktor Orban's ouster in Hungary, the EU anticipates progress on stalled foreign policy initiatives. Orban's government had previously blocked a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine and sanctions against violent Israeli settlers. Cyprus, holding the EU presidency, expects the Ukraine loan to be agreed upon at a Wednesday meeting, with a budget amendment and final adoption to follow swiftly. Orban had used the loan as leverage in a dispute with Kyiv over Russian oil supplies. The new Hungarian leader, Peter Magyar, has signaled a willingness to cooperate with the EU and called for the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline, suggesting a shift in Hungary's approach to these issues.

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.

The EU is relieved by Viktor Orbán's defeat in Hungary, hoping it will lead to a shift in the country's stance on key EU policies. Péter Magyar's victory raises questions about Hungary's future support for Ukraine, particularly regarding a €90 billion loan and sanctions against Russia. While Magyar has expressed willingness to support the loan under certain conditions, his views on Ukraine's EU accession and the long-term impact of sanctions are causing concern, especially among countries like Poland and the Baltics. The EU aims to work with the new Hungarian government to address these issues, including energy dependence on Russia, with the goal of phasing out Russian energy imports by 2035. The appointment of Anita Orbán as foreign minister is expected to play a central role in shaping Hungary's foreign policy.

Peter Magyar's recent election victory in Hungary signals a potential shift in the country's relationship with the European Union. Magyar's win follows years of strained relations between the EU and Hungary under Viktor Orban, characterized by disagreements over issues like sanctions against Russia and financial aid to Ukraine, resulting in economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation for Hungary. Magyar campaigned on promises to revitalize Hungary's struggling economy, which has faced high inflation and stagnant growth. A key part of his plan involves unlocking billions of euros in EU funds that have been frozen due to Hungary's previous failure to meet required criteria. Analysts suggest Magyar aims to reintegrate Hungary into the EU decision-making process, ending its status as a pariah state.

Following recent elections in Hungary, Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, has emerged as a significant political figure, challenging the long-standing dominance of Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party. Magyar's party secured a substantial number of seats, signaling a potential shift in Hungarian politics towards closer alignment with the EU. Magyar has expressed strong support for Hungary's EU membership, including joining the Eurozone, and plans diplomatic visits to Poland, Austria, and Germany. In contrast to Orbán's stance, Magyar has criticized Russia's war in Ukraine, stating he would urge Putin to end the conflict if he were Prime Minister. He views Ukraine as a victim of Russian aggression, a departure from Orbán's government, which has faced scrutiny for its ties to Russia and obstruction of EU aid to Ukraine.

The US military conducted its fifth lethal strike in a week on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, reportedly killing three people. US Southern Command stated the vessel was operated by "Designated Terrorist Organizations," but did not name the group. These strikes, part of the Trump administration's efforts against "narco-terrorists," have resulted in at least 177 deaths according to AFP. The legality of these operations is under debate, with legal experts and rights groups suggesting they may constitute extrajudicial killings of civilians. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of families of victims, and concerns have been raised by Democratic representatives regarding the lack of transparency and potential targeting of innocent individuals.

The US military announced it killed three people in the Eastern Pacific, accusing them of "narco-trafficking." This is the latest in a series of strikes carried out since September, when President Trump ordered the military to target vessels allegedly used by Latin American cartels to transport drugs. US Southern Command stated the targeted vessel was operated by "Designated Terrorist Organizations" along known drug routes. This attack follows two other recent strikes in the same region that killed six people. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and the ACLU, have criticized these strikes as potentially unlawful extrajudicial killings, questioning the legality and alleging some targeted civilian fishing boats. Since September, US attacks on vessels accused of narco-trafficking have resulted in at least 178 deaths.

The US military reported killing four more people in a boat strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, bringing the total to at least 174 deaths since September. The US Southern Command claimed the individuals were "narco-terrorists," but provided no evidence. These strikes are the third deadly attack on vessels in the region in four days. Military officials allege the targets were involved in narco-trafficking, but have not released specific details. Legal experts and human rights advocates have condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings, arguing they violate US and international law. A lawsuit has been filed against the US on behalf of families of victims, and the ACLU has criticized the administration's claims about those killed.

The US military conducted another strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated the boat was traveling along known drug-trafficking routes and was targeted with a "lethal kinetic strike" on the orders of US Commander General Francis F. Donovan. This attack follows a similar incident the previous day where the US military destroyed two boats, killing five. Since September, the US military has killed at least 170 people in strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean, alleging links to Latin American drug cartels. SOUTHCOM claims the individuals killed are "narco-terrorists," but has not provided evidence.

The US military reported striking two boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Saturday, killing five people and leaving one survivor. These strikes are part of the Trump administration's campaign against alleged drug traffickers in Latin America, bringing the total deaths from such actions to at least 168 since September. US Southern Command stated the boats were targeted along known smuggling routes, but did not provide evidence of drug trafficking. The US Coast Guard is coordinating the search and rescue for the survivor. While Trump has justified these actions as necessary to combat drug flow, critics question their legality and effectiveness, especially considering that fentanyl, a major contributor to overdoses, is primarily trafficked overland from Mexico. The strikes continue amidst US military operations in the Middle East and a planned naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The U.S. military reported striking two boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Saturday, killing five people and leaving one survivor. U.S. Southern Command stated the boats were suspected of smuggling drugs along known trafficking routes, but did not provide evidence. These strikes are part of the Trump administration's campaign against alleged "narcoterrorists" in Latin America, bringing the total number of deaths from such actions to at least 168 since early September. The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating the search and rescue of the survivor. President Trump has justified these attacks as necessary to combat drug flow into the U.S., claiming an "armed conflict" with cartels.