Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Vows to Block 90 Billion Euro EU Loan to Ukraine if Viktor Orban Loses Power

PM Robert Fico vows Slovakia will block 90 billion euros in EU funds for Ukraine if Hungary's Orban is unseated. Read about the Druzhba oil pipeline dispute.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 5:12 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Kyiv Independent

Bratislava Prepares to Inherit the Veto Baton

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has signaled a significant escalation in his government's opposition to European Union support for Ukraine, declaring that Slovakia is ready to replace Hungary as the primary obstacle to Kyiv’s funding. In a video address delivered on March 8, Fico stated that if Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban loses the parliamentary elections in April, Slovakia will "take up the baton" to ensure that massive financial packages remain blocked. This strategic alignment between the two Central European neighbors highlights a deepening rift within the EU as they prioritize national energy security over the bloc's collective defense of Ukraine.

The Druzhba Pipeline as a Diplomatic Flashpoint

The core of the dispute centers on the Druzhba pipeline, which has ceased transiting Russian crude oil since January. While Kyiv maintains that the system is offline due to damage from Russian military strikes in western Ukraine, both Slovakia and Hungary have accused the Ukrainian government of an intentional blockade. Fico has claimed to possess "secret satellite images" proving the pipeline remains functional and intends to confront European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the matter during a high-stakes meeting in Paris on March 10. For Bratislava, the restoration of oil flows from the East is a vital national interest that outweighs the needs of a non-member state.

A 90 Billion Euro Existential Threat for Kyiv

The funds at risk include a preliminarily approved 90 billion euro loan intended to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's financial and military needs through 2027. The package earmarks 60 billion euros for military procurement and 30 billion for critical budget support. If the European Council fails to provide formal approval due to a Slovak or Hungarian veto, analysts warn that Ukraine risks a total cash depletion by mid-2026. Fico has characterized the package as a "war loan" and a "gift," arguing that blocking these funds is a legitimate tool to coerce the restoration of energy supplies.