2024-02-01 16:47:06
2024-02-02 00:47 Compiled by United Daily News Mao Yi/Comprehensive Report European Commission President Van der Leyen (left), European Council President Michel (second from left), French President Macron (third from left… .
European Council President Michel announced on the 1st that the leaders of the 27 EU countries unanimously agreed on a 50 billion euro (approximately NT$1.7 trillion) aid package for Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Economy stated that 39 billion euros of it will supply Ukraine’s budget needs, and it is scheduled to receive the first 4.5 billion euros from the EU in March.
“We have a consensus. Unity,” Michel wrote. He said that the EU is taking the lead and responsible for supporting Ukraine. “We know that Ukraine is at a critical juncture.” President of the European Commission Van der Leyen also wrote on X that this is a good day for Europe.
Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked EU leaders, saying that this move once again proved the unity of the EU and that the plan would strengthen Ukraine’s long-term economic, fiscal and financial stability.
The New York Times reported that this plan will fund Ukraine until 2027 and cover basic services for Ukraine in the next four years, such as pensions, government salaries and other expenses. When the U.S. bill to increase aid to Ukraine by $60 billion is stalled in Congress due to Republican opposition, Europe’s aid has become a reassurance for Ukraine and demonstrates Europe’s determination to unite and assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that the plan is related to Ukraine’s finances. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba previously emphasized that this fund is the security of European investment itself. “Ukraine fights for everyone against Russia” and blocks Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to challenge the world order with force.
Reuters reported that since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February last year, Ukraine has received approximately US$73.6 billion (approximately NT$2.3 trillion) in international financial assistance, of which US$27.5 billion came from the European Union.
The EU’s latest aid package has been blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the past few weeks. Orban is considered the EU’s closest and only ally to Putin. Some critics say Orban just wants to expand his powers, hoping to use this matter to win the release of billions of euros in funds that have been frozen in the country for violating EU regulations. The Associated Press reported that it was unclear whether the EU made any concessions to get Orban to agree.
The French “Key Weekly” published an exclusive interview with Orban on January 30, showing that his attitude has softened, as long as “the EU guarantees that we can decide whether to provide this money every year.” The Wall Street Journal also reported that if Hungary continues to obstruct aid to Ukraine, the EU may deprive Hungary of some of its voting rights and continue to withhold Hungary’s additional 20 billion euros in EU budget funds on the grounds of human rights and corruption.
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