Druzhba dispute stalls Ukraine aid as leaders press Orbán

EU leaders will seek to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to unblock a €90 billion loan to Ukraine at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, aimed at helping Kyiv continue its defence against the Russian invasion.

Leaders agreed the loan in December, but Orbán blocked its implementation last month. He cited a dispute over damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. Kyiv says the pipeline was damaged in a Russian attack and will take time to repair, while Budapest maintains it is ready for operation.

The EU has since backed an agreement to repair the pipeline with technical and financial assistance. Other leaders hope this will help shift Hungary’s position and allow the loan to be approved.

The blockage has fuelled tensions within the bloc, as Ukraine may run out of funds in the coming weeks. Diplomats say the dispute also raises questions about the credibility of European Council decisions.

Orbán has not changed his stance and has indicated he will not provide support without the resumption of oil supplies.

(reuters, max)