Hungary Withholds EU Financing for Arms Shipments to Ukraine over Bank Blacklist

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on Tuesday that the country will not support any further EU funding for arms shipments to Ukraine until the nation removes Hungary's OTP bank from its list of "sponsors of war."

Szijjarto criticized Ukraine for including OTP bank on what he called a "list of shame," deeming the reasons behind the move "outrageous" and "unacceptable," according to RT.

Szijjarto stated that Hungary's position is clear: EU funding for weapon shipments to Ukraine will not be approved until OTP bank is removed from the list. This decision not only affects the previously vetoed €500 million ($546 million) arms tranche but also any future military assistance.

The minister advised the EU against proposing additional financing for arms deliveries, saying, "It will be better if they (the EU) do not come up with any proposals to finance further arms deliveries."