With Ukraine's European Union accession talks approaching, Balazs Orban drew a red line: "As long as this law exists, there can be no discussions with the Ukrainians about their integration into the European Union."
As Germany stepped up critical military support for Ukraine with naval drones and air defense systems, Hungary and Slovakia pushed back against the EU's proposed $52 billion allocation to Ukraine. Ukrainian forces meanwhile beat back Russian offensives near Andriivka and Verbove, retaining control of those areas.
Hungarian PM Orban and Slovakian PM Fico refused to allocate aid for Ukraine, arguing that 'EU support is not working' and citing 'concerns about corruption.'
Hungary continues to block a military aid tranche from the European Peace Facility to Ukraine, despite Ukraine's recent removal of the Hungarian OTP Bank from its list of war sponsors.
This happens despite the European Commission's decision to lift the embargo on imports of Ukrainian produce. Bulgaria has lifted its ban and Romania is still on the fence