At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, EU leaders plan to force the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to lift his veto on a critical loan. This financial aid package was agreed in December last year, but Orbán blocked its implementation last month. This is reported by Reuters.
The formal reason for the blackmail was the situation around the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged by a russian attack in January.
The Hungarian side insists on the immediate resumption of russian oil transit, while Ukraine states the need for long-term repairs to the facility. According to Reuters, in order to deprive Budapest of arguments, the other 26 countries of the bloc are going to use a new agreement with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This agreement provides for the provision of technical assistance and financing from the EU to restore the pipeline, which should remove Hungary's claims.
Diplomats expect such a consolidated position to force Orbán to abandon blocking vital funds for Ukrainian defense. The situation remains tense, as the Hungarian leader traditionally uses his veto power to advance his own interests and maintain ties with russia.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to "take over the baton" in blocking EUR 90 billion for Ukraine if Orbán loses the election.
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