EU Summit: Ukraine Loan, Orbán’s Veto, and Key Issues Loom

European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels to address a stalled €90 billion loan for Ukraine, blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The dispute centers on damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Hungary with Russian oil via Ukraine, with Orbán demanding repairs before releasing the funds. Orbán, facing upcoming elections in April, has shown no sign of backing down from his veto, frustrating other EU members who reached a deal in December to provide the loan. Leaders will attempt to persuade him to lift the blockade during Thursday’s summit. Despite the pressure, hopes for a resolution before the Hungarian elections are low. The situation has shifted the focus of the summit from economic competitiveness to the ongoing conflict and the financial support for Ukraine.