EU leaders agreed on a €90 billion lifeline to Ukraine in mid-December to help finance its defense against Russian forces. But Hungary recently blocked the initiative, accusing Ukraine of slow-walking repairs to the damaged Druzhba pipeline on political grounds to influence key elections that could oust incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Kyiv has rejected the claims, saying the pipeline is too damaged to carry vital supplies of Russian oil to Hungary following a drone attack in late January. EU officials are scrambling to break the political deadlock ahead of the EU leaders’ summit next week.
The extra cash cushion, however, gives the EU more time to overcome Hungary’s veto threats — such as after the Hungarian election next month.
Separately, Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen told his peers on Tuesday that his government has made provisions to send Kyiv €3.5 billion a year in bilateral support until 2029, two other diplomats told POLITICO.