Politics EU fails with plans to mark anniversary of Ukraine war
The EU has failed to clear the way for new sanctions against Moscow and billions in financial aid for Kiev ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
24.02.2026, 01:26
SDA
As the German Press Agency was informed by EU diplomats, Hungary in particular continues to block the necessary resolutions. All attempts to persuade Prime Minister Viktor Orban to change his mind have so far been unsuccessful, they said.
The blockade is a bitter setback for the EU. It had actually wanted to send a strong signal of support to the people of Ukraine on the anniversary today. The aim was to show them that they can rely on the EU's help in their defensive struggle against Russia. At the same time, the aim was to demonstrate to Russia's President Vladimir Putin that he should not rely on a slackening of European solidarity and should come to the negotiating table.
Presumably, it will now only be possible to announce a 100 million euro emergency aid package for Ukraine's energy infrastructure. According to the EU, this is also possible without Hungary's consent.
EU Council President makes serious accusations against Orban
The developments are also likely to overshadow the planned commemorative events in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. In addition to several heads of state and government from EU countries, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa are also expected to attend.
Costa had already expressed his displeasure at the Hungarian blockade in a letter to Orban on Monday, accusing him of violating the principle of loyal cooperation within the EU. "No Member State should be allowed to undermine the credibility of the decisions taken collectively by the European Council," wrote the former Portuguese Prime Minister.
Specifically, he referred to the agreement in principle for the new Ukraine aid, which had already been reached at an EU summit on December 18. The support in the form of loans should amount to up to 90 billion euros by the end of 2027 and enable Ukraine to continue its defensive fight against the Russian aggressors.
Hungary accuses Ukraine of deliberately blocking the pipeline
Hungary's public justification for the blockade is that it is currently no longer receiving Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine. The government in Budapest accuses the leadership in Kiev of deliberately blocking the use of the pipeline for political reasons. According to Ukrainian sources, however, oil supplies have been interrupted since the end of January due to Russian bombing.
Costa now wants to talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj today about the differing accounts of the facts regarding the delivery of crude oil to Hungary via Ukraine. The hope is that Hungary will stop blocking the new Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions once the pipeline has been repaired at the latest.
The latter are intended to further reduce Russia's income from the sale of gas and oil. There are also plans to cut off further financial institutions from international payment transactions and impose additional trade restrictions.
Slovakia also blocks Russia sanctions
In addition to Hungary, Slovakia, which until recently also purchased Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline, is also blocking the Russia sanctions. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has also announced that he will suspend his country's emergency power supplies to Ukraine until oil transit to Slovakia is resumed. So far, however, Fico has not taken part in the blockade of the Ukraine loan.
