2023-12-15 20:59:25
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban demanded this Friday “all European funds” of which billions of euros remain blocked, before possibly considering lifting his veto on new aid for Ukraine.
The leaders of the European Union failed during the night from Thursday to Friday to convince Hungary to lift this veto on new aid of 50 billion euros for Ukraine, following having managed earlier to open accession negotiations with this country at war. “Summary of the night: veto for additional funds to Ukraine” as for the proposed revision of the European budget, indicated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on X (ex-Twitter).
The 26 other EU countries, meeting with Hungary at a summit in Brussels, had to bow to the obstinacy of the Hungarian nationalist leader. “We will return to the subject at the beginning of January” during a new summit, said the President of the European Council Charles Michel in the middle of the night.
“We are 26 countries to have given our green light. There is no agreement with Hungary at the moment, but I am confident that we will achieve it next year“, added Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The EU had planned to provide Ukraine with aid of 50 billion euros, 33 billion in loans and 17 billion euros in grants, over four years starting next year.
This new aid is considered crucial in kyiv at a time when American aid of more than 60 billion dollars remains blocked in Congress due to reluctance from Republican elected officials.
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