Hungary’s change in government could help unlock 90 billion euros for Ukraine and give a “new push” to its European Union membership, the bloc’s enlargement chief said on Tuesday.
Marta Kos, speaking on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, described Sunday’s Hungarian election, which saw nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban face a crushing defeat, as a “big win for Europe”.
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“I expect, personally, that this will have a positive effect on the admissions process,” Kos said.
She also said it would help unlock a large loan needed to support Ukraine’s budget.
Orban had an effective veto on the funds, angering other EU leaders. He had linked the veto to a dispute with Ukraine over a damaged pipeline carrying Russian oil.
“With 90 billion, we can cover Ukraine’s financial needs in ’26 and ’27,” Kos said.
Orban also opposed any progress on Ukraine’s entry into the European Union.
Despite her upbeat tone, Kos warned that Ukraine still needed to “implement the reforms that are important for its economic transformation,” while acknowledging that this was not easy for a country at war.
Orban, a right-wing populist who held power for 16 years, was defeated by conservative Peter Magyar in Sunday’s election.
Unlocking credit for Ukraine
Magyar, for his part, opposes quick EU accession for Ukraine, as well as sending military aid to Ukraine, but could unlock the loan as a goodwill gesture to leaders in Brussels.
He has pledged a referendum on Ukraine’s EU membership, but he may allow the bloc to push ahead with the so-called negotiating “groups” that Brussels has demanded.
Kos also said he hoped to see the new Hungarian government strengthen anti-corruption efforts, strengthen the rule of law and increase media freedoms.
“These bases — we put so much effort into the accession process — are also important for member countries,” she said, referring to Hungary.
