Zelenskyy slams Orbán for blocking €90 billion loan for Ukraine
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (flickr.com)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would give the address of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers if he blocks the 90-billion-euro loan, according to Zelenskyy’s statement during a briefing.
He spoke about the need for Ukraine to make advance payments for future aircraft — namely the Swedish Gripen and the French Rafale.
EU aid to Ukraine blocked
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, signed an agreement to provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro loan for 2026–2027. These funds are meant to ensure the country’s stability during the war.
However, Hungary blocked the financing. Budapest issued an ultimatum: the loan will be approved only after Ukraine restores the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline. This position was officially stated by Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
In response, the President of the European Council, António Costa, called on Hungary to stop the blackmail and implement the joint EU decision to assist Kyiv.
EU plan
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said that the damaged pipeline should not become an obstacle to Ukraine’s defense.
The EU has also asked other countries, including members of the Group of Seven, to provide bridge financing to cover Ukraine’s needs. The issue will be discussed in April during a meeting of finance ministers in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of a meeting of the International Monetary Fund.
According to Bloomberg, financial difficulties are complicating efforts to supply Ukraine with military equipment, including air defense systems.
Sources familiar with the situation say the conflict involving Iran is affecting the United States weapons stockpiles and could potentially reduce their availability for Ukraine.
