BRUSSELS: The leaders of the European Union on Thursday agreed on 50 billion euros ($54 billion) of aid for Ukraine, giving a strong message to Russia.
The European body had faced strong opposition from Hungarian leader Viktor Orban to the agreement.
The deal would help Ukraine to receive continuous funding against its war with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the European Union for the funds inflow which according to him was long-awaited.
He said that the EU has made a long-awaited decision, adding this is a clear signal to Moscow that Europe will stand united and will not be broken.
French President Emmanuel Macron after the Brussels summit said the message is clear and Russia cannot count on any hesitation rom Europeans in their support for Ukraine.
He added the deal has also sent a message to Washington where billions of dollars of aid is held up in Congress.
At the beginning of the session Hungarian leader Viktor Orban agreed to drop his veto against the four-year package for Ukraine after immense pressure from the EU’s other 26 leaders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed hope that the EU decision could help US President Joe Biden to convince reluctant Republicans to pass Washington’s $60-billion support for Ukraine.
The EU aid will help the Ukrainian government to pay salaries and services.
Orban’s opposition to Ukraine had frustrated EU leaders at dealing with his role as a spoiler in the European bloc.
