Hungary’s election winner expects outgoing PM to lift veto on EU’s loan to Ukraine

Coverage Overview

Hungary's incoming prime minister, Peter Magyar, has said he expects outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban to lift his procedural veto on the European Union's 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine once Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline is restored. Magyar, whose Tisza Party won Hungary's April 12 parliamentary election, told Kossuth radio that Kyiv has promised to repair the pipeline by late April, while Orban is expected to remain in office until early May.

"I think when the Druzhba pipeline returns to operation, Viktor Orban will lift his procedural veto," Magyar said, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS.

The comments come amid a broader diplomatic recalibration in the EU following Orban's electoral defeat. European Union officials have expressed hope that progress can now be made on key foreign policy dossiers, including the loan to Ukraine and sanctions against violent Israeli settlers, according to Al Jazeera.

Key Claims

• Magyar's expectation on the veto: Magyar stated that Orban will lift his procedural veto on the EU's 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine once the Druzhda pipeline resumes operations, according to a single-source report from TASS.

• Pipeline repair timeline: Kyiv has promised to repair the Druzhba pipeline by late April, a claim reported by TASS and referenced by Al Jazeera, though the specific promise was attributed to Ukrainian authorities by Magyar.

• Orban's tenure: Orban could remain in office until May 12, per Hungarian law, as noted by TASS. He is expected to be replaced as prime minister at the first meeting of the new parliament in early May, with the exact date to be set by President Tamas Sulyok.

• Hungary's non-participation in the loan: In December 2025, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic decided not to participate in the EU's 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine. Magyar affirmed that Hungary will not join the initiative or provide financing to Kyiv, but will not block other countries from doing so.

• EU officials' expectations: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for unblocking the loan and moving forward with a sanctions package against Russia, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The Veto and Its Context

Orban's government had vetoed the final EU decision on the 90-billion-euro loan in response to Ukraine's halting of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, according to both TASS and Al Jazeera. Russian oil has not flowed through the pipeline to refineries in Hungary and Slovakia since January 27. Ukraine has stated that the pipeline was shut due to a Russian attack, a claim not independently verified by the reports.

Magyar has expressed readiness to discuss the issue with EU colleagues but maintained that Hungary should be excluded from the loan. "It's my position that Hungary should be excluded from this," he told reporters in Budapest, as quoted by TASS.

The loan, which Kyiv says is desperately needed to maintain its defense against Russia's invasion, was initially agreed upon at an EU summit in December 2025, but final approval was blocked by Orban's procedural veto.

Perspectives

Hungary's incoming government

Peter Magyar and his Tisza Party have signaled a constructive but cautious approach to EU relations. While not blocking the EU loan to Ukraine, Hungary will continue to abstain from the initiative, maintaining continuity with Orban's policy of not financing Kyiv. Magyar has also called for the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline, reflecting concerns over energy security.

EU officials

Following Orban's electoral defeat, EU officials see an opportunity to advance long-stalled decisions. Cyprus, holding the EU's rotating presidency, indicated that the loan to Ukraine should be agreed upon at a meeting of diplomats on Wednesday. The amendment to the EU budget, needed for the loan's disbursement, is expected to move quickly as Magyar prepares to take power.

Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities have not directly commented on the latest developments, but earlier stated that the Druzhba pipeline shutdown was due to a Russian attack. Kyiv has reportedly promised to repair the pipeline by late April, which could be a key step in restoring oil transit and facilitating the lifting of Hungary's veto.

Outlook

The interplay between the pipeline's restoration and Orban's remaining time in office will likely determine the pace of EU decisions in the coming weeks. If the pipeline is repaired as promised, Orban may lift his veto before leaving office, clearing the way for the EU to release the loan to Ukraine. However, the accuracy of the pipeline repair timeline and the exact political maneuvers remain to be seen.