European Council adopts conclusions on Ukraine without Orbán and Fico's signatures
Following discussions regarding Ukraine, the European Council adopted conclusions on Thursday 19 March, signed by 25 EU leaders, with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia.
Source: a European Pravda correspondent in Brussels
Details: The Hungarian and Slovakian prime ministers, Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico, have refused to sign the European Council's conclusions on Ukraine dated 19 March.
Although Viktor Orbán continues to block the granting of a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine for 2026–2027, the conclusions include a paragraph in which the European Council welcomes the decision to grant the loan in December 2025.
Quote: "Following its December 2025 decision to provide Ukraine with a support loan of EUR 90 billion for 2026 and 2027, the European Council welcomes the adoption of the loan by the co-legislators and looks forward to the first disbursement to Ukraine by the beginning of April. In this context, it also calls for intensified outreach to third countries to help close the remaining gap of EUR 30 billion in Ukraine's finances."
The European Council looks forward to the swift adoption of the 20th sanctions package. It reiterates the importance of further reducing Russia's energy revenues and further constraining Russia's banking system.
Undermining the Russian shadow fleet's business model requires a 'whole of route' approach, including by addressing through a common approach the significant environmental, security and maritime safety risks posed by such vessels. In this respect, the European Council calls for further efforts and coordinated action by Member States.
It also stresses the importance of continued coordination on sanctions against Russia with the G7 countries and other like-minded partners.
More details: The European Council's conclusions, among other things, raise the issue of the threat posed by Russian ex-combatants to the EU's internal security.
Furthermore, the European Council stresses the need to continue military support for Ukraine, emphasising the urgency of supplying air defence systems, ammunition and missiles.
EU leaders condemn the deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield in the war against Ukraine, as well as the support for Russia provided by Iran and Belarus.
The European Council has reiterated its consistent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return to Ukraine of all illegally deported and displaced Ukrainian children and other civilians.
Background:
- EU leaders held discussions on 19 February regarding the provision of a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, but they failed to persuade Viktor Orbán to lift his veto. Criticism was also levelled at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his inappropriate remarks directed at Orbán.
- Viktor Orbán stated on the sidelines of the European Council in Brussels that Hungary would not unblock any decision favourable to Ukraine until the Druzhba oil pipeline resumed transporting Russian oil.
- Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed the hope that Orbán would adhere to the principles of the European Union and agree to grant Ukraine a €90 billion loan.
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