Aid to Ukraine: “We need an agreement of 27”, insists German Chancellor Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday emphasized the need to find out “A contract at twenty-seven » On 50 billion euros of European aid to Ukraine, the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, has so far blocked it. “We must not look for solutions”He added, arriving at the summit in Brussels, which is crucial for the unity of the European Union (EU).
The Hungarian leader, the only one of the twenty-seven who has maintained close ties with Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, sparked anger and outrage among his counterparts who gathered in December to protest this much-needed financial aid to Kiev.
He is accused in Brussels of blackmailing the EU to get access to European funding meant for his country but has been frozen in Budapest for rule-of-law violations criticized. The outcome of Thursday’s meeting, however, looks highly uncertain, as negotiations between the EU and Budapest have so far failed to find common ground.
European aid intended for Ukraine (33 billion loans and 17 billion donations) is included in the EU budget extension until 2027. Support that Kiev desperately needs to keep its economy afloat, at a time when the American aid package is blocked. Congress.
Hungary seeks to be able to carry out an annual review of this support, with a unanimous vote, but other EU countries do not want to give it such restricted opportunities. A proposal by the EU is to hold an annual debate at the level of heads of state or government, without the possibility of a veto.
If they fail to convince their Hungarian counterparts, other leaders have promised to find a solution to continue supporting Ukraine financially, at least in the short term. One option is to renew macro-financial assistance for one year, which, in 2023, amounts to 18 billion euros, a formula that requires only a qualified majority.
