
EU leaders enraged as summit ends with Orbán vetoing €90bn Ukraine aid
EU leaders failed to convince Hungary to lift its veto on Ukraine support, as president Volodomyr Zelensky lamented the blockage.

EU leaders failed to convince Hungary to lift its veto on Ukraine support, as president Volodomyr Zelensky lamented the blockage.

Croatia says 13 tankers carrying non-Russian oil are ready to supply Hungary, even as Budapest presses Ukraine to deliver cheaper Russian fuel in exchange for lifting its veto on a €90bn loan for Kyiv at Thursday’s EU summit.

Ukraine faces a financial crisis as Hungary blocks the EU’s €90bn loan. Can Brussels convince Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán to lift his veto?

Hungary’s veto on Ukraine money is to hijack the spotlight at Thursday’s EU summit in Brussels, alongside disagreements over Europe’s carbon market — overshadowing what was meant to be a key debate on turning Europe into a truly economic powerhouse.

All 27 EU leaders meet on Thursday in Brussels to discuss Ukraine support, energy prices, security risks from the Iran war and competitiveness. At the start of the week, foreign affairs ministers will address Iran sanctions, maritime security and Lebanon. Also this week, the EU commission will unveil its “EU Inc” proposal, while MEPs are expected to finally vote on the US-EU trade deal from July. Slovenia has national elections on Sunday.

A “two‑speed Europe” plus a “European preference” took centre stage at the EU leaders’ informal retreat in Alden Biesen, Belgium — with a new roadmap of competitiveness reforms expected ahead of the March Brussels summit.

This week, EU leaders will meet in Alden Biesen to discuss economic reforms and competitiveness, while the Munich Security Conference takes place from Friday to Sunday. In Strasbourg, MEPs will vote on housing, defence, climate, migration, and Ukraine aid.