EU members urge Hungary not to block aid to Ukraine

Fears are growing that European support for Ukraine could be disrupted after Republican opposition in the US Congress cast doubt on the future of support for Ukraine.

“I hope that European unity will not be broken, because now is not the time to weaken our support for Ukraine,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said before the bloc’s foreign ministers’ meeting.

Leaders of the bloc of 27 will hold a major meeting on Thursday, where Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest EU ally, is threatening to block billions in aid and delay Ukraine’s EU membership talks.

Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen called Hungary’s position very unfortunate.

“It is very important that we continue to provide aid to Ukraine as long as it is needed, and not only for Ukraine’s sake, but also for our own sake,” she said.

European diplomats believe Orban is holding back aid to Ukraine to pressure Brussels to pay out billions of frozen euros as Budapest moves to strengthen the independence of the judiciary.

“It shouldn’t be a negotiation game, but of course in this situation we have to find all possible channels that can help us reach a conclusion,” Valtonen said.

Latvian Prime Minister Krišjanis Karinis said that Hungary’s position is a challenge.

“In Europe in the past we have faced many challenges, internal difficulties, and every time we have overcome them,” he asserted.

At this week’s summit, the EU is set to agree on an additional €50 billion. EUR 5 billion in financial aid to Ukraine. euros to replenish the arms fund for Kyiv and start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the bloc.