EU leaders meeting at the European Council in Brussels remained divided on Thursday over a €90bn loan package for Ukraine. Hungary and Slovakia declined to support conclusions calling for its swift disbursement.
A total of 25 member states backed the text, while Budapest and Bratislava did not, exposing continued divisions within the bloc over financial support for Kyiv.
The row stems from the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies Russian crude to several Central European countries. Hungary has linked its opposition to the Ukraine loan to concerns over disruptions and the handling of repairs, arguing that its energy security interests have not been adequately addressed. Slovakia has backed that position, accusing the European Commission of moving too slowly.
Orbán rejects election link
Brussels, however, has treated the pipeline issue separately, saying it is working with member states to resolve technical problems while continuing discussions on Ukraine support. That divergence has turned the pipeline into a leverage point in wider negotiations.
Speaking during the meeting, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán rejected suggestions that his stance is linked to domestic elections. He called the charge “totally unfounded”, according to an official familiar with the talks.
You might be interested
He instead described the issue as an “existential” one for Hungary, arguing that other leaders were placing greater emphasis on Ukraine than on Hungarian interests. The dispute comes as EU leaders face broader geopolitical pressures, including tensions affecting energy markets and the economic outlook, which are feeding into discussions on financial support and stability.
