(VOVWORLD) - Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are exempt from paying towards the 90 billion euros (105.4 billion USD) loan for Ukraine in the next two years agreed by the EU.
 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman) |
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said providing money for the conflict in Ukraine means prolonging it. He said he would rather support the assets to be used in Ukraine's reconstruction. Fico also said that Slovakia is ready to help Ukraine on a bilateral basis in areas including demining.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned of the long-term impact of the loan, noting it is the first time 24 EU members have jointly provided a large loan to a non-EU country. Hungary opposes the move as it would prolong the conflict, he added.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said that the Czech Republic does not oppose continued EU support for Ukraine, but would not accept any mechanism that shifts financial risks onto future Czech budgets.