Hungary’s incoming prime minister Péter Magyar has signaled that his government will not obstruct the European Union’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine, while making clear that Budapest itself will not participate in the mechanism. Speaking to foreign journalists in Budapest, Magyar stressed that the decision had effectively already been settled at EU level and does not directly involve Hungary.

He pointed out that during the December European Council meeting, Viktor Orban had voted for Hungary to opt out of the loan, while the broader decision was approved by the EU. As a result, Hungary, along with Czechia and Slovakia, is not part of the financing scheme. “I am not sure what exactly we are even talking about here,” Magyar said, adding that “the European Council voted in favour of it… so it does not concern our country.”

Magyar indicated he would still raise the matter in discussions with European partners, but underlined his personal stance that Hungary should remain outside the initiative. He cited the country’s strained financial position, arguing that taking on additional debt would be impractical at this stage. “Hungary is in a very difficult financial situation… we cannot take on more loans,” he said, while emphasizing that the priority should be securing EU funds that are currently withheld.

At the same time, he questioned why the issue continues to be debated, given that the agreement was finalized months ago. “The decision has already been taken… so I do not know why this issue should be raised again,” he remarked.

Magyar also used the opportunity to draw a contrast with his predecessor, criticizing what he described as inconsistent policymaking under Orban. Without naming specific instances, he suggested that Hungary’s previous leadership frequently shifted its position. “We will try to be consistent and honest in our communication and will not change our position every six months,” he said.

The comments come after Magyar’s electoral victory on April 12, which ended Orban’s long tenure in power. In Brussels and several European capitals, there is growing expectation that the political change in Budapest could remove obstacles to key EU decisions, including the Ukraine loan and a new package of sanctions against Russia.

Germany has already expressed hope that the new Hungarian leadership will help accelerate these processes. Magyar, for his part, has pledged that Hungary will return to being a “reliable partner” within both the European Union and NATO, signaling a potential shift in tone even as Budapest maintains its cautious approach to new financial commitments.