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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the European Union to resolve Hungary’s veto blocking a €90 billion loan, which is considered crucial for Ukraine.
Speaking during a visit to Madrid, where he met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Zelensky described the issue as a key priority ahead of the upcoming EU summit in Brussels.
He expressed hope that member states would find a solution to move the process forward.
“We are really counting on the countries and the EU to find ways to resolve this issue,” he said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been opposing the loan, partly due to concerns linked to the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary and has been disrupted in Ukraine.
Kyiv has attributed the damage to Russian strikes earlier this year, while the EU has offered technical support to help restore the pipeline.
Zelensky criticised the delay, arguing that it was unjustified since the loan had already been agreed upon before the end of 2025. He added that he was confident a resolution could be reached to unblock the funds.
The Ukrainian leader’s visit to Spain followed a stop in London and is seen as part of efforts to keep the war with Russia at the forefront of European attention, despite global focus shifting to tensions in the Middle East.
Sanchez reaffirmed Spain’s support for Ukraine, stating that the country would continue to stand by Kyiv. He also announced plans for deeper cooperation in the defence industry, with both countries signing agreements across several sectors.
“Nothing and nobody can make us forget what is happening in Ukraine. We will continue to be by your side, as we always have been,” the prime minister said.
Zelensky’s trip marks his fourth visit to Spain since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. He is also expected to meet King Felipe VI during the visit.
