Hungary has wielded its veto power to block €50 billion ($54 billion; £43 billion) in EU aid for Ukraine, just hours after the EU leaders reached an agreement on initiating membership talks.
The decision comes as a blow to Kyiv, which is heavily reliant on EU and US funding in its ongoing struggle against Russian forces, as per BBC News.
Hungary etoes $54 Billion EU Aid to Ukraine
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has officially confirmed his decision to exercise his veto power. With regard to the matter at hand, Prime Minister Orban succinctly summarized his stance, stating, "The outcome of the nightshift can be summarized as follows: a veto has been issued in relation to the additional funds allocated to Ukraine."
EU leaders, undeterred by the setback, maintain an optimistic outlook, confidently stating that discussions regarding aid will recommence in the early months of the upcoming year. In a recent social media update on X (formerly known as Twitter), Orban expressed his intentions regarding a future discussion on the matter, stating, "We plan to address this issue again during the #EUCO next year, following thorough preparation."
The EU, with 26 member countries in agreement, plans to revisit the debate in January. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed confidence in reaching a resolution, stating, "There is no agreement from Hungary at the moment, but I am very confident for next year." This move by Hungary, a close ally of Russia within the EU, follows their refusal to green-light funding for Ukraine over the next four years.
Orban's opposition to both EU accession talks and financial aid stems from the argument that Ukraine, not being part of the EU, should not receive such substantial sums from the EU budget. However, other leaders have assured Kyiv that aid could be channeled outside the EU budget if Hungary maintains its blockade, according to The Guardian.
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Ukraine Crisis
Critics accuse Orban of using Kyiv's survival as leverage to press Brussels into releasing billions of euros frozen over a rule of law dispute. The European Commission recently unblocked €10 billion of the frozen funds, but an additional €21 billion remains withheld.
The timing of this financial aid dispute is critical for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as the country's counter-offensive against Russian forces faces challenges, and a $60 billion package from the US Congress is yet to be approved. Despite the setback, EU leaders emphasize that Ukraine is not immediately out of funds, providing some relief to the situation.
Orban had pledged to block both membership talks and funding for weeks, labeling the agreement on opening membership talks as a "completely senseless, irrational and wrong decision." The situation underscores the strained relations within the EU, with Hungary seemingly using its position to advance its agenda.
As tensions escalate in Ukraine and with Moscow claiming progress in the ongoing conflict, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged continued support for Ukraine, emphasizing that the West's backing is an investment in regional security. The EU now faces the challenge of reconciling differences and finding a path forward to provide essential aid to Ukraine in its time of need, Al Jazeera reported.
