**EU Leaders to Meet in Brussels Amid Ukraine Loan Row** The European Union is set to converge on Brussels this week in a bid to break through a major roadblock in its efforts to provide financial support to war-torn Ukraine. At the center of the impasse is Viktor Orban, Hungary's nationalist leader, who has long been at odds with Ukraine over various issues. The issue at hand is a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine, which has been severely affected by the ongoing conflict with Russia. However, Orban's resistance to the loan has stalled the disbursement of funds, with the Hungarian leader using the issue as leverage in a dispute over a pipeline that carries Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. Orban has made it clear that he will not approve the loan unless Ukraine agrees to reopen the Druzhba pipeline, which has been shut down due to damage sustained during the conflict. This stance has been met with resistance from Ukraine, which sees it as an attempt to extort concessions. The EU has attempted to intervene in the dispute by sending a team to help restore oil transit, but Budapest has dismissed the initiative as a publicity stunt. As the standoff continues, EU leaders are facing a delicate balancing act in trying to resolve the issue. For many in the EU, the situation is reminiscent of past episodes where Orban has held up decisions on Ukraine, only to have his position eventually reversed. However, the current situation is more pressing, given the urgent need for financial support to Ukraine. "It's a well-known routine in Brussels," said an EU diplomat, "but this time, everyone is eager to find a solution."