Hungary’s Orbán says he won’t back down and allow EU’s €90bn loan to Ukraine – Europe live

Hungarian PM, who is facing an upcoming election, appears in no mood to compromise as EU leaders meet in Brussels this morning

Germany's chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for de-escalation in the Middle East, welcoming what he said were signals by US president Donald Trump that combat action in Iran could come to an end, which could allow Europe to contribute to securing peace in the region.

I am expressly grateful that the US president sent a signal in this regard last night that he is prepared to bring the fighting to an end," he told reporters ahead of an EU summit in Brussels in comments reported by Reuters.