Meloni and Orban represent right-wing forces in their countries, but Meloni has always supported the EU
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shocked EU leaders during a closed session of the Euro Summit by expressing understanding of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s position on blocking aid to Ukraine.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Politico.
Read also: A failure of 90 billion: how the EU leaders’ summit ended for Ukraine and is there a “Plan B”
Sources familiar with the confidential negotiations said that Meloni told other EU leaders that she “fully understands” the reasons why Orban refused to support the promised loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine and instead blocked it.
One diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, quoted the Italian Prime Minister as calling Orban’s position “normal,” as “everything is changing.” According to Meloni, Orban is on the brink of elections.
“If I were in the same situation, I would understand it,” she said.
However, while both Meloni and Orban represent right-wing forces in their countries, the Italian leader has predominantly adhered to the EU’s mainstream line. In contrast, the Hungarian government is seen as the main obstacle in supporting Kyiv.
Meloni’s office in Rome categorically denied these statements, calling the diplomats’ reports “absolutely unfounded.” They claim that Meloni never said such a thing and that her words have been distorted.
The loan issue
It should be noted that Hungarian pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, which he himself approved in December. This caused outrage in the EU – Orban crossed a line beyond which the EU would no longer remain silent.
For example, Germany expressed outrage, and Sweden has already openly stated its readiness to consider Article 7 of the EU Treaty – a mechanism to deprive Hungary of its voting rights. President of the European Council António Costa even called Orban’s behavior “unacceptable.”
At the same time, the summit noted that the European Union could begin transferring funds to Ukraine under the 90 billion euro loan as early as the beginning of April. However, no progress was made on this issue during the first day of negotiations.
