Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has sharply criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for blocking the 90 billion euro EU loan for Ukraine. "This is an act of gross disloyalty in the European Union, the likes of which has never been seen before", Merz said after the EU summit in Brussels. This undermines the workability and authority of the EU as a whole, the German Chancellor added.
Orban's behavior towards Ukraine will have "consequences that go far beyond this individual case", Merz warned. He stressed that this behavior "deeply angered" even those who have been attending EU summits much longer than he has.
Only Slovakia supports Hungary
After the summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen nevertheless expressed confidence that Ukraine would be granted a loan in one way or another.
European Council President António Costa said that the other EU heads of state and government had categorically condemned Orbán's behavior. "Nobody can blackmail the European Council," Costa stressed. Only Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supports his Hungarian counterpart.
Hungary insists on oil supplies from Russia
During the summit, which took place on March 19, Hungary did not back down from its decision to block the 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, despite pressure from other member states.
Orbán ties his veto to oil supplies from Russia to Hungary via the "Družba" pipeline. They are suspended since the end of January - after Russian strikes on a pumping station in western Ukraine. The Hungarian prime minister accuses Kiev of obstructing the process of resuming supplies through the "Druzhba" pipeline. The pipeline runs from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukraine rejects the accusations and emphasizes that the pipeline cannot currently be used due to the consequences of Russian air strikes. The necessary repairs will take about another month and a half - provided that no new Russian attacks follow, the Ukrainians calculate in a letter sent to the EU. The European Commission has offered as a compromise solution to inspect the gas pipeline and monitor the repairs, but apparently has not yet received permission from Ukraine.
Orban fights for his re-election
Orban's position against the loan for Ukraine is seen primarily as a political move against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in Hungary in mid-April. He is fighting for re-election. In the current polls, Orbán's party "Fidesz" is losing its leadership position.
A number of European representatives, including the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas, reject Orbán's arguments, pointing out that Hungary can also receive oil through Croatia.
Merz expressed hope that after the elections the necessary steps can be taken to repay the loan. In addition, the European Commission should consider additional proposals for the ways in which the money can be repaid. "In the meantime, we will try to support Ukraine with the available funds," the Chancellor said.
Harsh criticism of Orbán on the eve of the meeting
Even before the start of the summit in Brussels, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said of Orbán: "He uses Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaign and that is not good (...) We had an agreement and I think he cheated us".
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever also issued sharp criticism: "It is unacceptable to make a decision together with the heads of state and government and then say: "But I am not ready to implement what I have decided". Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker also insisted that the decisions taken must be implemented.
On December 19, 2025, all 27 countries unanimously approved the loan for Ukraine in the amount of 90 billion euros for the period 2026-2027 – including Orbán.