EU leaders wrangled over Ukraine funding and Russia policy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz challenged Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during an informal gathering of European Union leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 1 October, as talks on bolstering the bloc’s defence and backing Ukraine exposed deep divisions. Berlin and Budapest declined to comment on the exchange.
The meeting focused on strengthening Europe’s security posture against Russia and sustaining support for Ukraine. Orban, a long-time ally of former United States president Donald Trump and a frequent critic of EU Ukraine policy, has repeatedly obstructed sanctions and aid packages and opposes Kyiv’s bid to join the union. On 2 October he described the situation as “very serious”, claiming that pro-war proposals were on the table and criticising ideas to channel further EU funds to Ukraine and to accelerate its accession process.
Leaders also grappled with a proposed €140 billion ($160 billion) loan for Ukraine backed by proceeds from frozen Russian assets. The plan struggled to advance amid opposition from Belgium and legal reservations in France and Luxembourg, despite support from several capitals conditioned on additional legal scrutiny. Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, directly rebutted Orban’s characterisation of the conflict, emphasising that Russia launched the war against Ukraine.
Orban has echoed pro-Russian narratives in recent months, including asserting that Ukraine is “not a sovereign state”, further straining relations with fellow EU members. Regional tensions were heightened by reports that Hungarian reconnaissance drones entered Ukrainian airspace in late September. At the same time, Orban has warned that Hungary would shoot down any Russian drones violating its own airspace, underscoring the risks of spillover as the war grinds on.
The confrontation in Copenhagen highlighted the EU’s struggle to balance unity on security with divergent national positions, leaving key decisions on Ukraine’s financing and future relationship with the bloc still unresolved.