WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE EU - euobserver daily - Monday 23 februari 2026.

 

Support us

Good morning. It's déjà vu as Hungary and Slovakia blackmail the EU on Ukraine, but it's also uglier this time. The Kremlin-friendly Hungary is saying it will block a €90bn EU loan to Ukraine and the 20th round of Russia sanctions unless Kyiv repairs the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline. In reality, Budapest is probably aiming at minor concessions in the next round of Russia sanctions, for instance, to get Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijarto's friend, the FIDE chess federation's Russian boss, Arkady Dvorkovich, off the new blacklist. Meanwhile, the pro-Kremlin Slovakia has threatened to "stop emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine" over Druzhba, while also haggling for EU sanctions concessions in the background. It’s déjà vu because Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak prime minister Robert Fico have used the same veto tactics in almost every round of Russia measures. They make big threats on social media in the run-up to an EU deadline, then fold in face-to-face talks in return for small concessions, such as a non-binding declaration on energy security. Hungary is lobbying to get sporting personalities, including Dvorkovich, off the 20th round list, diplomatic contacts said, in what the Ukrainian chess federation, FSUE, has called “shameful”. Orbán and Fico’s pipeline pressure is also forcing Kyiv to do political masochism, by repairing damage from an accidental Russian air strike so that its aggressor can keep selling oil to Europe. But it’s all uglier than usual because Orbán is threatening to bankrupt Ukraine by April, while Fico is threatening to use the freezing winter against Ukrainian civilians the same way Russia did by bombing energy infrastructure. They’re both threatening an EU fiasco if there was no funding or sanctions deal by the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. They likely feel emboldened by US president Donald Trump’s endorsement. And Orbán might want an international punch-up to energise his anti-EU base ahead of national elections in April. Indeed, they seem more disruptive than ever, but I still find it hard to believe they’re not bluffing as usual. The EU has created Orbán workarounds on Ukraine whenever it needed to in the past, including via toilet breaks and trade laws, while the Ukraine funding issue is too big to fail. Maybe that’s why the FT gave his €90bn gambit just 600 words low down on its news page on Saturday. And the majority of EU diplomats I’ve been speaking to are confident there’ll be a sanctions deal by 24 February. So why do I always fall for Orbán and Fico’s rage bait, while also serving it up to you? Perhaps in hope that these two finally start getting nothing in return for their bluffs, not even one more pawn, by helping people to see them for what they are. Andrew Rettman, foreign-affairs editor ADVERT Opinion What it means for Europe’s energy prices and refugees if Trump attacks Iran Iran’s population today exceeds 93 million— and is hosts six million Afghan refugees. In the event of regional war, both Iranians and displaced Afghans would inevitably seek routes toward Europe. What else you need to know THIS WEEK: Clock is ticking for Russian sanctions deal in time for Ukraine war anniversary Fourth-anniversary Russian sanctions, plans for Gaza under Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, Friedrich Merz in China, and domestic EU curbs on firearms are all on the table this week. Orbán bashes Ukraine on Nord Stream, as Trump tells Hungarians how to vote Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán accused Ukraine of blowing up Nord Stream, amplifying anti-Ukrainian rhetoric ahead of elections, amid EU-Russia sanctions talks and disputes over Russian oil and diesel deliveries. EU set to push for WTO reform at Cameroon summit in March The EU and US are pushing for reform of the WTO’s most favoured nation principle which is supposed to offer tariff and quota free trade. MEPs delay vote on deportation bill to March amid return hubs dispute “We aim to work from the political centre and build constructive, workable compromises,” said the office of Malik Azmani, a Dutch liberal from the Renew Europe faction, who is leading talks on the bill. From a digital Wild West to strict age limits: do social-media bans actually protect teens? Many EU member states are working on social media bans individually, before any EU-wide measure — but is banning social media, only for kids, and one country at a time, the best move? Listen: Should the EU stay away from Trump’s Board of Peace? In Brussels, several EU member states are angry with the European Commission. These countries did not appreciate that the EU’s executive body attended the first meeting of the “Board of Peace” launched by Donald Trump. What was the alternative for the EU? Should Europeans stay away from this initiative? In case you missed it ‘We are a player, not just a payer’: EU Commission defends attendance at Trump’s Peace Board The European Commission says their presence at Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is needed because they have invested heavily in Gaza – despite reported objections from France and Spain. EU racing to agree more Russia sanctions for Ukraine-invasion anniversary Hungary and Slovakia risk delaying new EU sanctions on Russia, but Malta is falling into line, less than a week before Europe’s Ukraine-anniversary deadline.  How Orbán systematically suffocated the Hungarian media over the past 15 years Viktor Orbán has also pledged, in his annual address earlier this month, to “clear out” after the April elections media and civil society organisations deemed to threaten “sovereignty.” Fidesz already directly or indirectly control 80 percent of Hungary’s media. A fast-tracked Ukraine EU accession by 2027? Here are three dilemmas The idea of a fast-tracked Ukraine accession to the EU, as early as 2027, is gaining ground in Brussels. But urgency must not come at the expense of principle. The greater risk today is not moving too fast but moving halfway, warns the European Policy Centre. EU travel ban could see Russia’s world chess head challenged for top role The Russian president of the international chess federation, Arkady Dvorkovich, might be forced out of his role at a showdown in Samarkand — especially if he was to face an EU visa-ban. Poland’s Sikorski says the quiet bit out loud: Europe has become Ukraine’s lifeline, not US Last year, Europe became Ukraine’s main supporter, providing over $200bn (€170bn) in military, financial, and humanitarian aid, while US assistance dropped sharply, shifting the war’s centre of gravity to the EU. Nuclear weapons talk to fresh arms deals: how Poland’s defence surge is reshaping Europe’s frontline Poland considers developing its own nuclear capabilities amid rising Russian threats, while the EU approves €43.7bn from the SAFE programme for defence modernisation. Meanwhile, allies including Germany and France show growing interest in Polish weapons such as the Piorun system.