{"id":2581836,"date":"2026-03-19T16:20:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/europe-furious-over-viktor-orban-flipping-on-ukraine-loan-to-score-points-at-home\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T16:22:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:22:22","slug":"europe-furious-over-viktor-orban-flipping-on-ukraine-loan-to-score-points-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/europe-furious-over-viktor-orban-flipping-on-ukraine-loan-to-score-points-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe furious over Viktor Orban flipping on Ukraine loan to score points at home"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feurope-furious-over-viktor-orban-flipping-on-ukraine-loan-to-score-points-at-home%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2581836&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the European Union\u2019s plan too provide Ukraine with a $100 billion loan, reversing earlier signals that he might approve the aid. He argued that Brussels should not release funds unless Kyiv first reopens the Soviet-era Druzhba oil pipeline, which Europe depends on for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/manchin-to-vote-for-confirming-far-left-biden-nominee-after-aoc-suggests-he-was-racist-sexist-for-having-unease-about-nominee\/\" title=\"Manchin To Vote For Confirming Far-Left Biden Nominee After AOC Suggests He Was Racist, Sexist For Having \u2018Unease\u2019 About Nominee\">oil imports<\/a> from Russia and which was damaged by russian strikes earlier this year. Kyiv\u2019s reluctance to repair the pipeline is cited by Orban as a reason to withhold money, while European leaders accuse him of betraying the EU and using Ukraine as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/despite-insistence-by-democrat-politicians-and-medical-elites-empirical-evidence-does-not-conclusively-show-that-masks-reduce-the-spread-of-covid\/\" title=\"Despite Insistence by Democrat Politicians and Medical Elites, Empirical Evidence DOES NOT Conclusively Show that Masks Reduce the Spread of COVID\">political tool<\/a> for his domestic campaign.<\/p>\n<p>EU officials have offered to send a third-party team to assess the Druzhba damage and ensure steps toward restoration, but Hungary previously dismissed such an assessment as a \u201cfairy tale.\u201d the episode has triggered strong backlash from European leaders, who see Orban\u2019s move as a cynical maneuver to appeal to nationalist voters and align with Russia\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n<p>Domestically, Orban faces political pressure at home as his Fidesz party trails the pro-European opposition, led by the Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza) in polls. Tisza leads with about 38% support compared with roughly 30% for Fidesz, according to a March poll, highlighting a fragile grip on power ahead of April elections. Orban has leaned into a nationalist, Euroskeptic platform that seeks to distance Hungary from broader EU policy concerns, including migration and traditional-values debates.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Europe furious over Viktor Orban flipping on Ukraine loan to score points at home: &lsquo;He betrayed us&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2531814\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hungary\/\">Hungary<\/a> is once again playing spoiler for the European Union after reneging on an agreement to furnish Ukraine with a massive loan.<\/p>\n<p>Hungarian Prime Minister&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4450061\/viktor-orban-attend-inaugural-board-of-peace-meeting\/\">Viktor Orban<\/a> blocked the alliance from providing a $100 billion loan to Kyiv meant to replenish its dwindling coffers amid the ongoing Russian invasion &mdash; a seismic flip-flop on the issue after signaling in December 2025 his intention to approve.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4497428\/uk-france-japan-germany-secure-strait-of-hormuz\/\">UK, France, Japan, Germany, and others voice readiness to contribute to secure Strait of Hormuz<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4497051\/what-is-south-pars-gas-field-iran-trump\/\">What is the South Pars gas field in Iran Trump threatened to &#8216;destroy&#8217;?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4497259\/cyprus-reconsiders-future-british-bases-island\/\">Cyprus reconsiders &#8216;future of the British bases&#8217; on island after UK bungled defense response<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;It was a tough debate, but we stood our ground,&rdquo; Orban <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PM_ViktorOrban\/status\/2034671353782059448\">said<\/a> in a public statement following the vote. &ldquo;We have the right to say no to the Ukrainian war loan.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels on Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The root of the fiasco is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&rsquo;s reluctance to repair and reopen the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged by Russian strikes earlier this year. <\/p>\n<p>That pipeline is a critical <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy\/4497083\/brent-crude-oil-prices-surge-again-nearing-120\/\">oil<\/a> source for European countries importing the fuel from Russia &mdash; an economic arrangement Ukraine has little incentive to facilitate. But Kyiv officials have dragged their feet for too long, and Hungary, Moscow&rsquo;s closest ally within the European Union, decided to call the bluff.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As long as [Zelensky] does not lift the oil blockade, they will not receive any money from Brussels,&rdquo; Orban said. &ldquo;No oil=no money.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A flurry of outrage followed from European leaders who saw Hungary&rsquo;s position as a cynical maneuver to play to Orban&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >nationalist voter base ahead<\/a> of the April elections and curry favor with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vladimir-putin\/\">Russian President Vladimir Putin<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>European Council President Antonio Costa accused Orban of &ldquo;violating the [European Council&rsquo;s] principle of sincere cooperation&rdquo; and implied Hungary was trying to &ldquo;blackmail the European Union.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo accused Orban of &ldquo;using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaigning.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not good,&rdquo; Orpo added. &ldquo;We had a deal, and I think that he betrayed us.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, watches from outside the main table as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to EU leaders via video link during a roundtable meeting at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s unacceptable to decide with the leaders and then after say, &lsquo;But I&rsquo;m not ready to execute what I decided,&#8217;&rdquo; Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said.<\/p>\n<p>The European Union has offered to deploy a third-party scouting team to survey the damage done to the Druzhba pipeline, ensuring that steps will be taken to return it to operation. Hungary previously dismissed the idea as a &ldquo;fairy tale.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Orban is facing a serious political crunch at home as his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/viktor-orban-faces-uphill-battle-to-hold-leadership\/\" title=\"... to hold leadership\">conservative-nationalist party<\/a>, Fidesz &mdash; Hungarian Civic Alliance, is polling behind the pro-European opposition, the Respect and Freedom Party, or Tisza.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493193\/viktor-orban-uphill-battle-hold-leadership\/\">VIKTOR ORBAN FACES UPHILL BATTLE TO HOLD LEADERSHIP AS OPPOSITION HITS HOM ON RUSSIA TIES AND ACCUSATIONS OF CORRUPTION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tisza sits at approximately 38% support among all voters, compared to 30% support for Fidesz,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/hungary-block-loan-ukraine-sanctions-until-druzhba-restarts-minister-says-2026-03-16\/\">according to a poll<\/a>&nbsp;conducted between March 2 and March 6 by Hungarian firm 21 Research &#8288;Centre.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/uk-govt-lockdown-to-last-12-months-expect-repeated-vaccinations\/\" title=\"UK Govt: Lockdown to Last 12+ Months, Expect Repeated Vaccinations\">prime minister<\/a> has leaned into a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4486734\/foreign-backed-group-bridge-gop-russia-friendly-europeans\/\">nationalist, Euroskeptic platform<\/a> that seeks to isolate Hungary from the perceived missteps of the broader European Union &mdash; such as mass migration and the collapse of traditional values.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orban flips on Ukraine loan; EU furious, betrayed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2581837,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26078296242754.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[76165,8447,12874,11630,76164],"class_list":["post-2581836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-eu-politics","tag-europe","tag-hungary","tag-orban","tag-ukraine-loan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26078296242754.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2581836"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2581840,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581836\/revisions\/2581840"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2581837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2581836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2581836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2581836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}