The European Union will fulfill its promise and provide Kyiv with 90 billion euros
The European Union will “somehow” provide Ukraine with a loan of 90 billion euros, despite the blockade by Hungary.
This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference following the EU leaders’ summit, as reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing The Guardian and Radio Free Europe.
Also read: A 90 billion failure: how the EU leaders’ summit ended for Ukraine and is there a “Plan B”
“The loan remains blocked because one leader is not keeping his word. But let me repeat what I already said in Kyiv. We will fulfill our promise one way or another,” von der Leyen said.
European Council President Antonio Costa also assured that funds will be provided to Ukraine one way or another.
According to him, leaders did not return to the discussion of the funding issue during the summit, but they took a stand to “clearly condemn the position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban,” who has backtracked on his promise to support the loan.
“All leaders must keep their word. And no one can blackmail the European Council. No one can blackmail the institutions of the European Union. And we must fulfill this decision (on providing the loan to Ukraine – ed.),” Costa emphasized.
Orban blocks the loan for Ukraine
Recall that Hungary has blocked the provision of a 90 billion euro loan from the EU to Ukraine. For the funds to start being transferred to Ukraine, the consent of all EU member states is required.
Budapest began blocking the loan transfer after the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline was halted due to a Russian strike at the end of January.
Hungary claims that the transit of Russian oil through Druzhba was allegedly halted at Ukraine’s initiative.
Recently, Ukraine accepted the European Union’s proposal to repair the oil pipeline. This will take place with financial and technical support from the EU.
Despite this, Hungary continues to block the transfer of funds to Ukraine. Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that he would not lift the veto until the supply of Russian oil through Ukrainian territory is restored.
Despite the systematic blockade by Hungary, the European Union continues technical preparations for the disbursement of the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine. Brussels is focused on ensuring that political obstacles do not halt the process of providing financial support.
EU member state leaders gathered on March 19 in Brussels to discuss pressing issues such as the war in Iran and assistance to Ukraine. However, despite “heated” debates, they were unable to convince the Hungarian Prime Minister to lift his veto on the loan.
For more details on what happened yesterday in Brussels, what the EU hopes for, and whether there is a “Plan B,” read the article from RBC-Ukraine.
