Hungary has blocked €500M from the European Peace Fund for weapons for Ukraine.

This is the eighth tranche of EPF funds for armaments for Ukraine, the Italian publication ANSA reports. The funds were supposed to be paid on May 22, but Budapest allegedly demanded guarantees that the EPF would maintain its global horizon in the future and would not be used exclusively to arm Kyiv. The EPF reimburses member states, usually 50% of the cost, but there is no fixed standard for those who donate military equipment to Ukraine.

On May 5, the EU Council approved the allocation of €1B under the EPF to finance the provision of 155 mm caliber artillery shells and, if necessary, missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces, which EU member states will jointly purchase from the European defense industry.

The blockage of the funds by Victor Orban’s government was unexpected but not surprising. Due to close ties with Russia, Hungarian politicians have repeatedly looked for ways to delay assistance to Ukraine.