BRUSSELS: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has wielded his veto power to block €50 billion ($54 billion) in European Union aid for Ukraine, just hours after the EU leaders formally agreed to open membership talks with Kyiv.
The leaders convened in Brussels and decided to revisit the funding issue in January, as Orban refused to support additional financial assistance for Ukraine’s government in its efforts to remove Russian forces from its territory.
Orban, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin within the EU, announced the veto on social media, calling it a “Summary of the nightshift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine.” The EU leaders, excluding Hungary, agreed to continue the debate in January, ensuring Ukraine’s financial needs for the next few weeks are met.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed confidence in reaching a deal early next year, possibly in late January, and emphasized that Ukraine still has some time before facing financial constraints. Another summit will be convened to address the issue. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stressed the importance of financial support for Ukraine to continue the war and rebuild the country.
Orban had previously pledged to block both the membership talks and additional funding for Ukraine, dealing a blow to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy recently failed to secure additional financial assistance from the United States, appealing to Republican lawmakers for $61 billion.
Most EU leaders aimed to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine amid concerns, fueled by Moscow, that support for Kyiv was diminishing. Critics accused Orban of using Kyiv’s survival as leverage to pressure Brussels into releasing frozen EU funds, reflecting concerns about Hungary’s commitment to the rule of law.
In a last-minute concession, the European Commission agreed to unblock €10 billion ($11 billion), but Orban still holds out on €21 billion ($23 billion). He denied any connection between Hungary’s stance on Ukraine and the frozen EU funds, stating, “That’s not our style.”
As the war in Ukraine persists, Russian President Putin claimed progress on the eastern front, where the conflict has become entrenched. Meanwhile, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the necessity of continued support for Ukraine to safeguard Europe. Stoltenberg warned that if Putin prevails in Ukraine, there is a genuine risk of his aggression extending beyond the region, emphasizing that support for Ukraine is an investment in the security of the entire region.
