EU Reaffirms Commitment to Ukraine Amid Hungary's Opposition

On February 24, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen firmly assured that the European Union would deliver on a multibillion-euro loan for Ukraine, despite Hungary’s opposition. Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has been blocking not only the €90 billion loan but also new sanctions against Russia until the reopening of a vital oil pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory. The Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, was reportedly damaged by Russian strikes on January 27. During a press conference in Kyiv, von der Leyen emphasized the commitment made by the 27 heads of state and government in the European Council, stating, "Let me be crystal clear, this word cannot be broken. We will deliver on the loan one way or the other. We have different options and we will use them." Cropping up these tensions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded that Orban engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate halting strikes on the pipeline or possibly arrange an energy ceasefire. As the relationship between Ukraine and Hungary remains fraught, Zelensky condemned Russia for the pipeline's destruction, suggesting that even if repairs are made, the risk of further attacks from Russian forces persists. The strained ties between Ukraine and Hungary have been amplified recently, particularly as Orban has increased his supportive rhetoric towards Russia amidst the backdrop of Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections in April. Von der Leyen also advocated for accelerated repairs to the Druzhba pipeline, emphasizing the importance of restoring energy flow amidst ongoing conflict. This situation highlights the ongoing complexity of European unity and support towards Ukraine, especially when faced with diverging interests within the bloc. As the EU navigates through these challenging dynamics, its commitment to Ukraine, represented by von der Leyen’s statements, signals a determination to uphold promises despite internal disagreements. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2