On the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa visited Kiev with intentions of presenting a new sanctions package and clarity regarding a major EU loan. However, their visit was markedly unproductive due to blockages from Hungary and Slovakia, which are obstructing the 20th sanctions package against Russia. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is further complicating matters by threatening to veto a significant €90 billion loan that the EU has proposed for Ukraine, citing the need for your country to stand by its agreements.

Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard, expressed frustration over the delayed assistance, emphasizing that Ukraine is in urgent need of financial support as its economy is struggling and funding is running low. Stenegard highlighted the growing urgency of the situation, predicting that Ukraine's financial reserves would diminish sharply by April if timely assistance is not provided. The sentiment reflects a sense of desperation among Ukrainian leaders who rely on EU support in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

The backdrop of this visit indicates a complex web of political maneuvering within the EU, where countries like Hungary are leveraging their position to negotiate their interests, potentially at the cost of urgent assistance to Ukraine. As the situation evolves, the maneuvering by various EU member states raises questions about the unity and effectiveness of the EU's foreign policy strategies, especially when a member state is facing a full-scale invasion. This scenario underscores the urgent need for cohesion among EU nations, particularly in addressing mutual security interests and supporting Ukraine against external threats.