EU aid to Ukraine: Viktor Orbán wants agreement “on an annual basis”.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who opposes new aid to Ukraine from the European Union, on Thursday called for the possibility of an annual review, against a backdrop of difficult negotiations in the run-up to the summit in Brussels.
“If we want to support Ukraine, let’s do it outside the EU budget and annually! This is the only democratic position five months before the elections. European, he writes on. The Hungarian head of government had already said he was ready on Tuesday to support Kiev “Without harming the general budget”.
Mr Orban, the only EU leader to maintain close ties with the Kremlin since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in December vetoed payments of 50 billion euros in aid to Kiev over four years. An extraordinary summit has been organized for 1er February to try to find a solution.
MEPs on Wednesday urged the European Commission and member states to show firmness towards Mr Orbán. The Prime Minister criticized this trend “Liberal Parliamentarians”. “They want to give money to Ukraine over a period of four years”While the June elections could change the situation in the European Parliament, he said.
The president of the European executive, Ursula von der Leyen, for her part, emphasized the need for Kiev “Assuming Credit” To win the war in 2024 and beyond.
Intense negotiations are underway in Brussels, where no one is certain what position Viktor Orbán will take. “Our positions are far apart, so it is not certain that an agreement will be reached”Gergely Gulyasan, his chief of staff, warned on Thursday. “It won’t even be a tragedy”He mentioned, added “Possible Solution at 26”Without Hungary, which can act bilaterally.
In return for lifting his veto, the Prime Minister demanded payment in mid-December. “All Funds” European Union allocated to Hungary. Billions of euros are frozen by Brussels, particularly due to concerns linked to the rights of LGBT+ people, educational freedom and the right to asylum. Budapest will refuse “Any settlement on migration and child protection issues”Condemned Mr. Gulyas insisted “A Bitter Power Struggle”.
