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Orbán sabotages major EU aid to Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the war

The European club is left without delivering the €90 billion loan and the approval of the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia

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Archive image of Orbán, Von der Leyen and Costa.
Archive image of Orbán, Von der Leyen and Costa. Alexandros Michailidis/EC
Gerard Fageda
Upd. 0
2 min

BrusselsEuropean Union leaders intended to arrive at their visit to Ukraine on Tuesday with the final approval of loan of 90 billion euros and the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia in the bag. Two gestures as symbolic as they are crucial for the Ukrainians, but the European bloc failed in its intention to guarantee this aid at the event to be held in Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of the start of the war. Viktor Orbán's Hungary, which remains very close to the Kremlin, vetoed both initiatives at the last minute.

The loan that the EU intends to provide to Ukraine starting next spring was already approved by European heads of state and government last December. Orbán, as well as Slovakia and the Czech Republic, gave their approval in exchange for not contributing any money. Very unusual exceptions to avoid vetoes from the three countries governed by pro-Russian leaders. However, this weekend Hungary changed its mind and is now demanding that Ukraine reopen the Drujba oil pipeline, which connects Hungary and Slovakia with Russia. Beyond the €90 billion in funding for Ukraine, the Orbán administration—currently in the midst of its pre-election campaign and facing a projected electoral defeat according to polls—has also opted to veto the twentieth package of European Union sanctions against Vladimir Putin's regime. Although diplomatic sources from several member states considered its approval a foregone conclusion last week, Hungary has also expressed its opposition at the last minute and, therefore, vetoed the measure, as it requires unanimity. The new package of sanctions from the European bloc against Russia includes a total ban on maritime services linked to the export of Russian crude oil and the expansion of the list of the "ghost fleet," that is, ships identified by the EU that circumvent EU sanctions and continue transporting fuel. It also aims to restrict the banking activities of various Russian financial institutions and increase the number of individuals and organizations on the EU's blacklist, whose funds within the EU are frozen and who are prohibited from operating there.

The EU faces the fifth year of the war in Ukraine with one question: "Can more be done?"
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a press conference after their meeting in Brussels, Belgium

A division with consequences

In response to his refusal, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho accused Orbán of undermining both Hungary's and the European Union's credibility. "There was already a political agreement among all the heads of state and government, including the leader who is now threatening to block it," Pinho reminded reporters at a press conference on Monday. Meanwhile, the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described Orbán's change of heart as "regrettable" and questioned whether the Hungarians truly wanted to stop helping Ukraine, especially "given their past." "I find it hard to believe that a decision of this kind could yield any electoral gains," Kallas added.

Be that as it may, the President of the European Council, António Costa, as well as the entire European Commission, including its President, Ursula von der Leyen, will appear this Tuesday in Kyiv without the multi-billion euro aid package and new sanctions against Russia, which were intended as a clear message of support for Ukraine. The division within the EU also has negative consequences for the Ukrainian people.

Timeline of sanctions packages
  • First package - February 22, 2022

    Individual sanctions against Duma representatives, and restrictions on access to capital and funds held in the EU.
  • Second package - February 25, 2022

    Sanctions against Vladimir Putin, as well as several Kremlin and Russian military leaders. Restrictions on the financial and technology sectors, particularly those that could be used in warfare. The partial suspension of visa issuance to Russian citizens.
  • Third package - March 2, 2022

    The suspension of banking payment systems, the closure of EU airspace, and the ban on broadcasting by Kremlin-controlled media.
  • Fourth package - March 9, 2022

    The EU has expanded its blacklist of Russian individuals and organizations, particularly those related to the defense industry, and imposed restrictions on the export of maritime and navigational technology. Exports of luxury goods to Russia and imports of steel and iron into the European bloc are also prohibited.
  • Fifth package - April 8, 2022

    The closure of EU ports to all Russian vessels and a ban on Russian road transport entering EU territory. A ban on imports into the European bloc of Russian coal and other solid fossil fuels, as well as cement, timber, spirits, and seafood.
  • Sixth package - June 3, 2022

    The ban on importing crude or refined petroleum products and on reselling to third countries the oil imported into the EU through pipelines.
  • Seventh package - July 21, 2022

    The ban on importing gold from Russia, including jewelry, and increased controls on European exports to Russia that may have dual use, both civilian and military.
  • Eighth package - October 6, 2022

    A cap on the price of Russian oil purchased by third countries, a ban on importing precious metals, cosmetics and tobacco products; as well as the export to Russia of weapons for civilians, military vehicles, ammunition and paramilitary equipment.
  • Ninth package - December 16, 2022

    A substantial increase in the number of Russian individuals and entities added to the EU's blacklist, particularly those linked to the Russian defense industry and military. A ban on the export of drone, aviation, and space technology, as well as on European investment in the Russian mining sector. The suspension of broadcasts by other media outlets controlled by or affiliated with the Kremlin within the EU.
  • Tenth package - February 25, 2023

    The ban on importing asphalt or similar synthetic materials from Russia, and restrictions against Russian nationals holding positions of power in European Union bodies or in infrastructure or entities critical to the European bloc.
  • Eleventh package - June 23, 2023

    The prohibition of the sale, licensing or transfer of intellectual property, and cooperation with third countries to prevent Russia from circumventing previous sanctions imposed by the EU itself.
  • Twelfth package - December 18, 2023

    The ban on importing, buying, or transferring diamonds of Russian origin; as well as the import of liquefied petroleum gas and other metals, such as aluminum. The requirement to obtain permission from the relevant authorities for any transfer exceeding €100,000 outside the EU.
  • Thirteenth package - February 23, 2024

    The inclusion on the EU blacklist of North Korean individuals and entities involved in supplying weapons to Russia, and the expansion of sanctions to bodies and companies related to the Russian defense industry.
  • Fourteenth package - June 24, 2024

    The ban on reselling Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries and on investing in Russian LNG-related projects and infrastructure is in place. Imports of helium are also prohibited, as are political parties and NGOs that receive funding from the Kremlin.
  • Fifteenth package - December 16, 2024

    Restrictions on Russia's so-called ghost fleet, ships that transport fossil fuels and sail clandestinely to circumvent EU sanctions. The inclusion of more Russian individuals and entities linked to dual-use technology on the EU's blacklist.
  • Sixteenth package - February 24, 2025

    More restrictions on ships from what is known as Russia's ghost fleet, and several of Russia's banking and financial systems.
  • Seventeenth package - May 20, 2025

    Further restrictions on companies that sell dual-use products in Russia, including those from third countries, and a ban on exporting chemical materials to Russian companies.
  • Eighteenth package - July 18, 2025

    The ban on importing refined oil and crude oil from Russia that arrives through third countries, and the definitive end of the operation of the Nord Stream I and II gas pipelines, which connect the EU with Russia.
  • Nineteenth package - October 23

    The ban on the permanent import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) of Russian origin into the EU, a substantial increase in the number of ships sanctioned in the Russian ghost fleet, and the obligation for Russian diplomats to inform European state authorities every time they travel to the Schengen area.
  • Twentieth package - In process

    The European Commission has proposed substantially increasing the number of ships in Russia's ghost fleet sanctioned, increasing restrictions on Russian financial services and exports related to the cybersecurity industry.
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