Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has raised a significant roadblock for Ukraine by halting a 50 billion euro ($54 billion) aid package from the European Union. This move came shortly after the EU moved to start formal negotiations about Ukraine’s potential membership. During a meeting in Brussels, it was decided to revisit this concern after Orban, known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, declined to support the provision of extra funds aimed at assisting the Ukrainian government’s efforts to repel Russian military presence from its land.
Leaders from the EU expressed their intention to discuss this matter again next month, as disclosed by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He emphasized that Ukraine is not facing immediate fiscal shortages but underscored the significance of rallying consensus among all EU member states. Rutte highlighted the understanding reached with 26 countries, with the exception of Hungary, expressing confidence that a resolution might be achieved early the following year.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo echoed the necessity of these funds, emphasizing their critical role not just in Ukraine’s battle efforts but also in its reconstruction post-conflict. The setback was especially felt by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who concurrently faced challenges convincing US Republican legislators to approve a supplementary aid package of $61 billion.
The prevailing sentiment among most EU leaders aimed to signal unwavering support for Ukraine, amidst notions propagated by Moscow implying the dissipation of western backing for Kyiv was growing more apparent. Orban’s actions have sparked criticism as some perceive it as leveraging Ukraine’s fight for survival to compel the EU to release funds currently frozen over debates on Hungary’s adherence to the rule of law.
In a recent development, the European Commission agreed to release a segment of that funding, amounting to 10 billion euros ($11 billion), though an additional 21 billion euros ($23 billion) remain inaccessible to Hungary. Orban has refuted any allegations suggesting a connection between this financial predicament and Hungary’s stance on Ukraine.
On another front, NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters issued a warning, emphasizing the importance of continued support for Ukraine to ensure broader European security. Stoltenberg cautioned that a Russian victory could potentially escalate aggression beyond Ukraine, framing the support as a strategic defense investment, rather than mere charity.
