European leaders have accused Hungary of obstructing support for Ukraine as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches, with Budapest blocking new economic measures against Moscow. The dispute threatens to overshadow a display of solidarity with Ukraine, as several EU leaders are expected to visit Kyiv on Tuesday.
Hungary Blocks EU Support for Ukraine
Germany, France, and other EU states failed to persuade Hungary’s government on Monday to approve the latest EU sanctions package and a loan intended to aid Kyiv financially and militarily. Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, characterized Hungary’s actions as “political sabotage.”
The anniversary comes after a harsh winter during which Russia systematically targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with drone and ballistic missile attacks, leaving millions without power. Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv were particularly affected.
Despite challenging conditions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this week that Ukraine was “definitely not losing.” His armed forces have reportedly recaptured 400 square kilometers in the south of the country since late January.
Further peace negotiations are anticipated in Geneva later this week, according to Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Zelenskyy’s office. He acknowledged that talks with Russia, brokered by the US, “aren’t going smoothly,” but stated, “We are clearly moving forward.”
The Kremlin has so far refused to alter its initial demands, which include Ukraine ceding the entire Donbas region, even areas Russia does not currently control. Zelenskyy has rejected this demand, despite pressure from envoys associated with Donald Trump to consider it.
Zelenskyy told the BBC that relinquishing the Donetsk oblast would mean “abandoning hundreds of thousands of our people who live there.” He also suggested that Vladimir Putin had “already started world war three,” questioning how much territory Putin would seize and how to stop him.
European countries have increased assistance to Ukraine following the cessation of direct military aid from the White House last year. However, this effort has been hampered by Hungary and Slovakia, both close US allies and considered the most pro-Moscow members of the EU, due to their reliance on Russian oil imports.
Budapest says it will block further sanctions against Russia until Ukraine resumes oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, announced Monday a halt to emergency assistance to Ukraine due to the interruption in oil deliveries. Ukraine attributes the interruption to Russian bombs damaging the pipeline last month, and Ukrainian drones damaged an oil pumping station in Russia’s Tatarstan region on Monday.
Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, complained that Ukraine was behaving in “a very hostile manner” towards his country, questioning why oil deliveries to Hungary had stopped and accusing the European Commission of siding with Kyiv.
Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, criticized Hungary’s decision to block a €90 billion (£79 billion) loan to Ukraine, calling it “shocking” given Hungary’s own history of invasion by Soviet troops. He suggested Orbán’s rhetoric was aimed at a domestic audience ahead of elections in March, adding that he expected greater solidarity with Ukraine.
Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, emphasized Ukraine’s resilience at a pro-Kyiv event in Berlin, calling Tuesday’s anniversary “four monstrous years of war” and urging continued European support. France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, affirmed his country’s “unwavering” commitment to Ukraine during a meeting with Finland’s leader, Alexander Stubb.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, downplayed speculation about a future presidential run, stating that such talk was “pub talk” and that he was focused on the war effort. He indicated that any discussion of his personal future would only occur after the end of martial law in Ukraine.
The World Bank estimated Monday that Ukraine needs $588 billion (£435 billion) to rebuild from the damage caused by Russia’s 2022 invasion, a 12% increase from last year. The Donetsk and Kharkiv regions would require the most investment, with Kyiv needing $15 billion for recovery.
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