Orbán maintains his veto on the loan to Ukraine and the EU increases pressure on Hungary, with the aim of delivering it in April.

Hungary blocked the €90 billion loan from the European Union to Ukraine, despite Brussels’ initiative to resume oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline. Member States pressured Budapest and communicated that they expect to send the first part of the aid to Kiev in April. Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, arrived at the European leaders’ summit and reiterated that he would prevent the loan until the transport of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline is resumed. Several European delegations anticipated that Orbán might reiterate the condition for approving aid to Ukraine, which could result in no agreement being reached during this summit. They also pointed out that the Hungarian leader might be using the pipeline issue to gain leverage in the parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April.