international_relations

Ukraine War Briefing: Hungary Agrees to Allow EU Loan to Kyiv but Will Not Contribute

December 19, 2025 The Guardian
Ukraine War Briefing: Hungary Agrees to Allow EU Loan to Kyiv but Will Not Contribute

Viktor Orbán agrees to an EU loan to Ukraine without contributions from Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

SUMMARY

Viktor Orbán agreed not to block a massive interest-free EU loan to Ukraine, provided that Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are excluded from the debt guarantees. This loan aims to support Ukraine's military and economic needs for the next two years. Hungary, close to Moscow, had initially vetoed this financing.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Viktor Orbán agrees to the EU loan to Ukraine without Hungary's contribution.
  • Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are excluded from the debt guarantees.
  • The loan aims to support Ukraine's military and economic needs for two years.
  • Hungary opposed the use of frozen Russian assets.

CORE SUBJECT

EU Loan to Ukraine and Hungary's Position

Viktor Orbán appeared to agree not to block the borrowing provided that his country, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are excluded from the guarantees. What we know on day 1,395

Hungarian Viktor Orbán has agreed not to block a massive interest-free loan supported by the EU to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years, provided that his country, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are excluded from the debt guarantees. After failing to agree on the use of frozen Russian assets, diplomats announced the new loan in the early hours of Friday. The agreement will not affect the financial obligations of Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, which did not want to contribute to financing Ukraine, the text states. Hungary, close to Moscow, had previously declared that it would oppose the agreement, just as it opposed the use of frozen Russian assets.

KEYWORDS

Viktor Orbán Hungary Ukraine EU loan debt guarantees

MENTIONED ENTITIES 7

Viktor Orbán

👤 Person_Male

Prime Minister of Hungary

Hungary

📍 Location_Country

Central European country

Slovakia

📍 Location_Country

Central European country

Czech Republic

📍 Location_Country

Central European country

European Union

🏛️ Organization

Political and economic organization of European countries

Ukraine

📍 Location_Country

Eastern European country in conflict

Moscow

📍 Location_City

Capital of Russia