Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed his intent to prevent the European Union's proposed €90 billion loan to Ukraine, which is necessitated by the ongoing Russian invasion. Orban's government claims that Ukraine has deliberately halted the supply of Russian oil to Hungary through a pipeline, and will not approve the loan until the oil supply is resumed. This loan, critical for Ukraine's economy, was agreed upon last December by EU leaders to help address the financial crisis intensified by the war.

The Financial Times has reported that failure to execute this loan could result in Ukraine facing a severe financial crisis between April and June, exacerbating its already precarious situation. The loan agreement involves using the EU budget as collateral for borrowing from the market, with Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic potentially receiving measures to alleviate fiscal burdens if repayments are delayed. However, the European Commission indicates that unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states is required to leverage EU funds for loans, complicating the approval process and highlighting the ongoing tensions within the EU regarding support for Ukraine.

The situation emphasizes the broader geopolitical consequences of the conflict, as Hungary, alongside other Central European nations, navigates its positions and interests amid EU solidarity toward Ukraine. Orban's actions may not only impede immediate financial assistance to Ukraine but also affect Hungary's relations with other EU member states, challenging the unity needed to address continental security and humanitarian crises resulting from the war.