German chancellor Friedrich Mertz he did not hide that he was angry about the Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban and his blocking of a loan of 90 billion euros for Ukraine. "It is an act of gross disloyalty within the European Union that we have not experienced before in this form," Mertz said after the EU summit in Brussels. It damages the ability to act and the reputation of the European Union as a whole, he writes Deutsche says.
Orbán's behavior in relation to Ukraine "will have consequences that go far beyond that single event," Mertz warned. Even those who have been present at EU summits much longer than him were themselves "deeply upset" by such behavior, the chancellor emphasized.
Photo: AP Photo/Omar HavanaEuropean Union leaders
Loan through the back door?
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, nevertheless expressed optimism after the summit that the loan for Ukraine will be approved. The Union will provide credit to Ukraine in one way or another, Von der Leyen stressed.
The President of the Council of the EU, Antonio Costa, said that the other leaders of states or governments of the EU clearly condemned Orbán's behavior. "No one can blackmail the Council of the EU," emphasized Košta.
At the summit, Hungary and Slovakia, despite the pressure from other member states, stuck to their blocking of loans of 90 billion euros. Orban is ready to lift the veto only when Hungary starts receiving Russian oil again.
Hungary accuses Ukraine of preventing the continuation of oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. That pipeline leads from Russia, through Belarus and Ukraine, to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukraine rejects those accusations and emphasizes that the pipeline is currently unusable due to the consequences of Russian attacks. Repairs, they say from Kiev, need about another month and a half.
According to observers, Orbán and his Fidesz party are basing their campaign for the April 12 election primarily on opposition to Ukraine and the European Union, claiming that they are colluding to bring his electoral rival, Peter Magyar from the Tisza party, to power.
Photo: AP Photo/Geert Vanden WijngaertEurope united in refusing to participate in the war in the Middle East
No war at any cost.
The second big topic of the one-day EU Council summit was the war in Iran. The heads of state or government of the EU in Brussels have confirmed that they exclude the possibility of active participation in the war. In addition, they demanded a "moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure and water supply."
In their final statement, the participants of the summit welcomed the readiness of the member states of the Union to secure the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as the preconditions are met". Friedrich Mertz confirmed that Germany could be involved in security measures - but, as he added, "this is only possible when combat operations stop."
French President Emmanuel Macron said after the summit that his government plans to discuss with the permanent members of the Security Council about establishing a United Nations framework to secure this important sea passage for global oil trade. To carry out such a mission, however, combat operations would have to cease first.
We will not allow a repeat of 2015.
Apart from energy supply, another major concern for the EU is possible mass migration. Union leaders do not want to be surprised by a possible migrant crisis due to the escalation of the situation in the Middle East. "We will not allow a repeat of 2015," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the summit in Brussels. For now, due to the situation, there are no movements of migrants towards Europe, but the EU must be prepared.
In the final statements of the leaders of states or governments, it is stated that the EU is ready to use its diplomatic, legal, operational and financial instruments to prevent "uncontrolled migrant movements". "The security and surveillance of the external borders of the European Union will be further strengthened."
Photo: P Photo/Geert Vanden WijngaertSummit in Brussels
Criticism of Israel
The participants of the summit also condemned the violence of settlers in the West Bank. "The Council of the EU strongly condemns the continued and increasing violence by settlers against the Palestinian population, including violence against Christian communities," read a statement released Thursday evening in Brussels. It also confirmed the demand to respect the status quo when it comes to the holy places in Jerusalem.
In addition, the leaders of the EU countries firmly condemn the measures by which Israel wants to expand its presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Israel should fulfill its obligations under international law and protect the Palestinian population in the occupied territories.
According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, since the beginning of this month alone, seven Palestinians have been killed in attacks by Israeli settlers. Settler violence increased significantly following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.
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