The Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to block a European Union aid package for Ukraine, amounting to €90 billion in loans. Despite the European Parliament already approving this package, it now requires the endorsement of member states within the EU Council before the European Commission can disburse the first tranche, scheduled for early Q2 2026. Hungary's support for this significant aid package appears contingent upon lifting the blockade of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies Russian oil not only to Hungary but also to Slovakia.

On Saturday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the ultimatum set by Hungary, striking back at Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the chairman of the ruling Law and Justice party in Poland, who opposes the SAFE program designed for defense spending and support for the Polish defense industry. Tusk’s remarks highlight a growing tension between Hungary's governmental policies and those of its neighboring countries, particularly in the context of EU solidarity and military support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

Tusk criticized Orban for obstructing European assistance to Ukraine and pointed fingers at Kaczynski for trying to hinder defense funding initiatives. Tusk’s call to Polish President Karol Nawrocki to veto recently passed legislation underscores the critical intersection of energy policy, national security, and regional cooperation in Central Europe, at a time when the efficacy of the EU's collective response to geopolitical challenges is under increased scrutiny.