EU vows to deliver Ukraine loan ‘one way or another’ – von der Leyen

(SeaPRwire) –   Hungary is still blocking the €90 billion loan, while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni has reportedly voiced support for Budapest’s position

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday that the EU will provide the disputed loan to Ukraine “one way or another,” even as the package remains held up by Hungary.

Budapest vetoed the EU’s €90 billion ($105 billion) emergency loan for Kyiv after Ukraine cut off Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline, a critical supply route for both Hungary and Slovakia.

“We will deliver on the loan one way or the other,” von der Leyen told journalists following a Brussels summit on Thursday, where EU leaders were unable to convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to drop his veto.

Orban, who is up for re-election next month, has repeatedly accused Kyiv of intentionally halting the supplies for political motives, and stated this week he would keep blocking the loan until oil shipments are restored. “If there is no oil, there is no money,” he said.

EU officials, who have avoided direct confrontation up to now, have ramped up pressure on the Hungarian leader, denouncing Budapest’s “unacceptable” opposition during their Brussels meeting. EU Council President Antonio Costa said, “no one can blackmail the European Council.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Orban’s veto as an “act of serious disloyalty.”

Brussels officials are reportedly weighing the option of revoking Hungary’s voting rights to push through the loan for Kyiv.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni split from most EU leaders by expressing understanding for Orban’s position during closed-door talks on Thursday, according to Politico. The outlet, citing diplomats from four countries, said she reaffirmed her support for the loan at the meeting while also reportedly signaling sympathy for Orban’s stance.

One diplomat claimed Meloni described Orban’s position as “normal” because “things are changing,” adding: “If I were in the same situation, I would understand him.” The Italian government has denied these remarks, with an official in Rome calling the alleged attribution “completely unfounded.”

The dispute has deepened the long-running rift between Kyiv and Budapest, which has escalated to personal threats against Orban from Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. Hungary has a history of tensions with Ukraine, opposing its EU and NATO membership bids and pushing back against funding for its war effort against Russia.