However, diplomats say these issues should be discussed after Hungary’s new government fully takes office, European diplomats told Suspilne.
“This is still the current government, so I do not expect any major changes to be announced, but we hope. We need to unblock several issues regarding our support for Ukraine. And the most important right now is 90 billion,” the diplomats said.
According to them, a European Commission team is currently in Budapest in what they described as an unprecedented step. The delegation includes the head of the European Commission president’s office and several directors-general, who plan to discuss these issues with representatives of Hungary’s incoming government.
Two diplomats suggested that Hungary’s current foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, may not attend the EU ministers’ meeting, with one adding: “I would be very surprised if he showed up.” At the same time, officials said Kaja Kallas would recall recent scandals involving alleged information leaks from Budapest to Moscow during the meeting.
“I expect that at the ministerial level she will reaffirm the importance of confidentiality and what we call the principle of sincere cooperation as the basis for how we conduct business in the EU and work as a community,” the source added.
On April 16, following another large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, Kallas said the EU Foreign Affairs Council next week would consider unblocking a 90 billion euro loan and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.
The loan program was agreed by EU leaders last year, but its implementation has been delayed after Hungary refused to support the decision, using the bloc’s unanimity rule. The defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the April 12 election is expected to unblock efforts to approve the loan for Ukraine, diplomats say.
After the opposition Tisza party’s victory, its leader Peter Magyar said he supports the agreement on a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, which allows Hungary to opt out of financing.
Disbursement of the loan could begin in the second quarter of 2026, the European Commission has said.
The Guardian reported that on April 17 a European Commission delegation was due to hold its first talks with Péter Magyar’s team.
The report said one of the most urgent issues for the EU is how quickly Hungary will unblock the 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package against Russia.