“Regarding Ukraine, in principle, even thrifty countries had no objections to the fact that additional money should be allocated to the country. The question remains only from which resources – whether redistributing existing funds or looking for new ones,” A. Skaisgirytė told Žinių radio on Tuesday.
“I think that the European Council in December will be very stormy in this regard and it will be necessary to prepare well,” said the adviser to the president.
The extra billions for Ukraine are causing the most disagreements between the Community states in the dispute over the 2021-2027 budget review, as the austere wing of the EU calls for these funds to be provided by subtracting them from other areas, rather than simply allocating them additionally.
According to A.Skaisgirytė, it is at the December meeting of the European Council that they want to make a decision on additional funds for Ukraine in the revised Community budget.
According to her, the head of the country, Gitanas Nausėda, is in favor of creating a special EU fund for Ukraine.
“Lithuania is currently the country that receives more from the European Union than it contributes. As a result, we are not in a position to dictate those terms. However, it is known that the President of Lithuania spoke very clearly that a special fund should be created for Ukraine, and he will be one of those who will fight for the creation of that fund”, said A.Skaisgirytė.
According to her, when considering support for Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia set additional conditions: Budapest says that Ukraine must improve the situation of the Hungarian minority living there, while Bratislava “adjusts its course a little” after the new government begins work.
“We were assured by Slovak diplomats that their main directions in foreign policy will not change,” said the presidential adviser.
In the summer, the European Commission (EC) proposed to review the Community budget, including a new financial instrument to support Kyiv. These funds, made up of grants and loans, should amount to about 50 billion. euros.
further financial support for Ukraine is supported by almost all 27 EU countries, only Hungary and Slovakia oppose it.
#A.Skaisgirytė #additional #funds #Ukraine #question #sources #remains
2024-09-05 00:52:07
