© EPA/ Adam Warzawa Tusk compared Orban's veto on aid to Ukraine to internal contradictions over EU defense.
The Polish premier, Donald Tusk, drew a comparison between the veto used by Hungarian PM Viktor Orban regarding the EU’s disbursement of a €90 billion credit line to Ukraine and the efforts by politicians from the opposing Law and Justice (PiS) party in Poland to withhold backing for the EU’s aim to reinforce the defense potential of nations within the European Union.
He communicated this information on February 21 via the X platform.
“PM Orban just prevented European assistance to Ukraine, and Kaczynski is attempting to impede SAFE, which translates to funding for defense and the Polish arms sector. Consider who is pleased,” the head of the Polish government expressed, thereby implying that the opposition doesn’t advocate for the European Union, to which they are affiliated, but rather for entities that present a risk to it.
As a reminder, Hungary recently obstructed the €90 billion EU credit for Ukraine, which had been endorsed by the European Parliament the prior week. Lacking this credit, Ukraine could encounter a budgetary shortfall in the second trimester.
Hungary’s EU envoy has raised objections to the issuance of debt secured by the EU budget. The resolution to grant a credit necessitates complete agreement from all 27 EU member states.
Concurrently, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban declared that his nation would impede the credit until Kyiv restarts the passage of Russian petroleum via the Druzhba oil conduit.
The European Commission pointed out that they anticipate Budapest and other EU countries to abide by the understanding achieved by EU leaders on December 19, 2025.