European Union seeks alternatives for Ukrainian loan after Orbán's veto

The European Union faces a serious institutional challenge after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed the approval of a new loan for Ukraine. Budapest's decision triggered an immediate and sharp reaction from other community leaders. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described this decision as „"atto di sabotaggio politico contro l'Ucraina".” — Polish Prime Minister. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed hope that Orbán would change his mind after the elections. However, the community believes that aid for Ukraine must flow continuously and is already seeking alternative funding paths to circumvent the veto.

The principle of unanimity in foreign and security affairs is a cornerstone of EU policy, giving each member state the right to veto. In the past, it has blocked, among other things, common positions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which led to criticism of the effectiveness of common foreign policy. Orbán himself not only refuses to yield but is also launching a verbal counteroffensive. The Hungarian leader accused Brussels and Kyiv of deliberately interfering in the course of the election campaign in Hungary, which has just begun. In his campaign-opening speech, he stated that „"la pace solo con me".” — Hungarian Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Hungarian media close to the government went so far as to claim that Ukraine is deliberately fomenting chaos to bring down Orbán's government. This rhetoric indicates a further escalation of the dispute during the election campaign.

In response to the blockade, concrete proposals for action are emerging. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas suggested that if the EU loan mechanism proves ineffective, the community could return to directly transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Other leaders, such as Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announced direct talks with Orbán on this matter. Simultaneously, the EU adopted a new sanctions package, this time targeting eight Russian judges and prison officials responsible for human rights violations.

The dispute is not limited to Ukrainian issues. Hungary, together with Slovakia, also raised political objections to another sanctions package against Russia, indicating broader coordination among Visegrád Group countries in resisting EU sanctions policy. Luxembourg, through its foreign minister, expressed disappointment with Orbán's stance, linking it to the Hungarian prime minister's sympathies for Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump and a desire for financial benefits. Sweden, in turn, criticized the use of the Ukrainian issue as a campaign target, calling it an unwise action. This entire situation highlights deep divisions within the European Union and calls into question its ability to act cohesively on the international stage in key security matters.