The recent shift in Hungary’s political landscape could potentially unlock €90 billion for Ukraine and provide a renewed impetus for its European Union membership, according to the EU’s expansion commissioner. Marta Kos made these remarks on Tuesday during the IMF and World Bank spring meetings, highlighting the significance of the recent election in Hungary, which resulted in the defeat of long-standing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Kos characterized this outcome as a significant victory for Europe, expressing optimism that it would positively influence Ukraine’s accession process. She noted that this change could facilitate access to vital financial support aimed at stabilizing Ukraine’s budget, which had been obstructed by Orbán’s veto linked to a dispute over a damaged pipeline for Russian oil.
In a related development, the United Kingdom is set to announce additional support for Ukraine amounting to millions of pounds on Wednesday, coinciding with a series of meetings involving senior ministers and their global counterparts. In Washington, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to confirm a £752 million payment to Kyiv prior to her discussions with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. This payment is part of a larger £3.36 billion loan aimed at funding military supplies, including long-range missiles, air defense systems, and drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns on Tuesday during an interview with a German broadcaster, stating that U.S. peace negotiators are preoccupied with the conflict in Iran, which has hindered arms deliveries to Ukraine. Speaking to public broadcaster ZDF, Zelenskyy indicated that negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have been involved in discussions to resolve the conflict with Russia, are currently focused on Iran. He described them as “pragmatic” and suggested their goal is to gain more leverage over President Putin to expedite an end to the war. However, he cautioned that without increased pressure on Putin from the U.S., the Russian leader might not take the situation seriously.
Norway and Ukraine have agreed to enhance their defense collaboration, with plans to produce Ukrainian drones within Norway, as announced by the Norwegian government on Tuesday. This partnership entails Norway assisting with drone production in Ukraine while Ukraine will provide data, information, and expertise to Norway. The drones will also be manufactured on Norwegian soil. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the importance of learning from Ukraine’s experiences in its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy, underscoring the necessity of deriving lessons from this challenging situation.
In another significant announcement, U.S. officials have confirmed an extension of sanctions relief for Russian oil company Lukoil concerning its fuel stations outside of Russia. This decision, made by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), allows Lukoil-branded stations in various countries, including the United States, to continue their operations until October 29. The measure permits these stations to carry out routine business activities, such as obtaining motor supplies, fulfilling insurance obligations, and managing payroll for employees, according to OFAC.
