Hungary refuses again to back Ukraine at upcoming EU summit, media report

Several diplomats familiar with the summit preparations confirmed Hungary's intention not to approve the EU's conclusions.

The draft outlines the EU's plan to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable long-term financial support together with like-minded partners and allies.

It also calls on the European Commission to present concrete proposals for using revenues linked to Russia's frozen assets in line with EU and international law.

The use of these funds, the document says, should be supported by appropriate solidarity and burden-sharing within the EU.

Hungary opposes providing Kyiv with a reparation loan secured by frozen Russian assets. While Budapest's formal approval is not required for the decision, its refusal means fewer EU countries will share financial guarantees with Belgium, which holds most of the frozen assets.

Since March this year, Hungary has refused to back the Ukraine-related section of the EU summit conclusions condemning Russian aggression and calling for serious peace talks. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says his stance stems from a different strategic approach to the war.

At the March 6, 2025, summit, Orbán blocked the Ukraine section over what he called harsh wording about supporting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and peace through strength.

Recently, Orbán said Europe should not fear Russia, claiming the EU surpasses it militarily. He argued that the real threat to the bloc lies in economic stagnation and declining competitiveness.

The Hungarian leader also stated that, in his view, Russia has already won the war against Ukraine, though he added that Moscow remains militarily, economically, and demographically weak and poses no threat to Hungary.