Orban may unlock €90 billion for Ukraine: what are the conditions?
2 March 09:26
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán may agree to unblock a €90 billion loan to Ukraine from the European Union if Brussels approves a €16 billion defense loan for Budapest.
This was reported by Politico, citing sources among European diplomats, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Journalists have seen a letter from Orbán to European Council President António Costa, in which the Hungarian prime minister hinted at the possibility of unblocking the Ukrainian loan, provided that the EU officially assesses the damage caused by the destruction of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
However, diplomats believe that Budapest’s position may be broader. According to them, Hungary’s key goal is to approve a €16 billion loan under the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense program. The fund provides loans to member states and partners, including Ukraine, for joint defense purchases, and its total volume reaches €150 billion.
Recall that Hungary previously blocked a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, demanding the resumption of oil supplies to the country through the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungary and Slovakia demand repair of oil pipeline
Recall that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán officially appealed to the leadership of the European Union with a proposal to organize a special mission to assess the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline on the territory of Ukraine. Orbán also wrote an open letter to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling for the Druzhba pipeline to be opened and accusing Ukraine of interfering in the elections.
