On Tuesday, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa were set to announce a significant financial aid package for Ukraine, including a loan of 90 billion euros and a new sanctions package, coinciding with the four-year anniversary of Russia's invasion. However, on the eve of this announcement, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared his intention to obstruct both measures, citing grievances over Ukraine's refusal to allow Russian oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia as the primary reason for his opposition.

Orbán's decision highlights the ongoing complexities within the European Union regarding solidarity with Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. Member states have differing perspectives on Ukraine's energy policies and their broader implications for regional stability. Hungary and Slovakia's economic dependencies on Russian energy exacerbate these tensions, revealing the divided sentiments among EU countries toward the conflict and the support for Ukraine.

The postponement or alteration of the proposed financial aid raises questions about the EU's ability to present a unified front under the current geopolitical pressures. As countries navigate their national interests while trying to maintain a collective approach to aiding Ukraine, this situation underscores the challenges that lie ahead for EU cohesion in the face of Russian aggression.