Ursula von der Leyen, in a press conference in Kyiv. Photo: Ukrinform / ddp USA / Profimedia
The European Union will grant the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine “one way or another”, despite the blockade from Budapest, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, assured in Kiev on Tuesday, according to AFP and Agerpres.
“We will fulfill our commitment on this loan, one way or another,” insisted the head of the European executive in the joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
“We have several options and we will use them,” explained Von der Leyen, who is in Kiev to express European support for Ukraine on the occasion of the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
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“They gave their word, it cannot be broken”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced on Monday his intention to freeze the loan if Kiev does not restore Russian oil supplies through the Drujba pipeline.
This loan of 90 billion euros is intended to finance in 2026 and 2027 the military and financial needs of Ukraine which continues to fight against Russia.
“This loan was approved by the 27 heads of state and government at the European Council. They gave their word. This word cannot be broken,” Ursula von der Leyen said.
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“It's up to Orban to talk to Putin”
“I ask Hungary to cooperate to implement the decision taken by the European Council (regarding the loan)” in December, Council President Antonio Costa said at the same press conference in Kyiv.
“In the meantime, I invite the Commission to use all the tools at its disposal to overcome (this situation) and prevent anyone from blackmailing the EU,” Costa added.
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The Ukrainian president invited Budapest to raise the issue with Moscow, which he said had bombed the pipeline “several times” during its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
“It's up to Orban to talk to Putin, maybe about some kind of energy truce” between Moscow and Kiev, he said.
Slovakia announced on Tuesday that oil deliveries through the Drujba pipeline could resume on Thursday.
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