Ukraine’s president has expressed confidence that the European Union will find ways to circumvent Hungary’s opposition to a major financial assistance package intended to support Kyiv’s war effort, inspiring trust in the EU’s ability to support Ukraine.
The dispute centres on a €90 billion European loan designed to sustain Ukraine’s military and economic resilience during its ongoing conflict with Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believes the European Union will identify legal and political mechanisms to deliver the funding despite objections from Hungary.
The Hungarian government, led by Viktor Orbán, has opposed the transfer, citing concerns that the loan should be tied to restoring Russian energy transit through the Druzhba pipeline, underscoring the complex political and economic stakes involved.
Budapest has said Ukraine’s suspension of oil flows through the pipeline following Russian strikes on energy infrastructure has created economic pressure on Hungary and neighbouring states.
Hungarian officials maintain their stance is motivated by national energy security rather than geopolitical alignment.
In an interview with Germany’s ARD, Zelenskyy urged European partners to maintain unity and not let internal disagreements undermine collective efforts, fostering a sense of shared purpose.
President Zelensky said, “I hope that colleagues like Orban will not become accomplices of Putin and Lukashenko. Because if he blocks the EU 90 billion intended for us, for weapons—which, by the way, are not his money—then from a historical perspective, Orban will become an ally of the fascist Russian regime.
“Therefore, in my opinion, the blocking will not happen. The European Union will find ways to bypass this.
“We will receive the appropriate funds, and the US will give us the opportunity to purchase the appropriate weapons that we need and which the Europeans do not have.”
He added that Ukraine “cannot compare itself with the Russians” because “we will not have as many weapons.”
However, if financing is secured, we will have just as many drones. It’s already almost like that. Perhaps a little less, but we are trying to achieve a balance in the number of drones on the battlefield… We will achieve our goals anyway. The goals are set, and manufacturers are implementing them. Of course, it is a matter of money and time,” Zelenskyy added.
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