Diplomatic efforts and the release of funds led Hungary to abandon plans to veto a decision that would bring Kiev closer to Brussels. Zelenski celebrates what he called a “victory that inspires and strengthens.” The heads of state and government of the European Union (EU) surprised when they announced on Thursday (December 14) at the summit of 27 member states in Brussels an agreement to open formal negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European bloc and overcame the resistance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who had promised to veto the decision.
European Council President Charles Michel said it was a “clear sign of hope for people and for our continent.”
Photo: DW / Deutsche Welle
European Council President Charles Michel said it was a “clear sign of hope for people”. [dos dois países] and for our continent.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated a “strategic decision that will remain anchored in the history of our Union.”
Ukraine, with a population of 44 million and geographically larger than any EU member state, presents some unique challenges to the accession process. The country has been at war with Russia for 22 months and relies on help from international partners to continue resisting invading forces.
Hungary's abstention paved the way
Orban was not present at the decision and chose not to use the right of veto that all member states have. “Hungary's position is clear: Ukraine is not ready to start EU accession negotiations,” the prime minister said in a video message published on the social network X.
“It is a completely pointless, irrational and wrong decision to enter into negotiations in these circumstances; Hungary will not change its position,” he said. “On the other hand, 26 countries insisted that this decision be made. Therefore, Hungary came to the conclusion that if the 26 decide to do so, they must go their own way.” “For this reason, Hungary did not take part in the decision today,” he concluded.
When asked what role Orban played in the vote, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he was not even in the room. “He disagrees with the decision and will not change his mind, but essentially he has decided not to use his veto power.”
If Orban had decided to veto the start of formal talks with Ukraine, this week's summit of European leaders would have failed.
Backstage conversations
In a joint diplomatic effort, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron met with Orban to discuss the issue alongside Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen.
The Hungarian relented after the European Commission cleared Hungary's access to blocked funds worth 10.2 billion euros (R54 billion), as the country met the necessary conditions for the independence of its judiciary.
Critics accuse Orban of taking Ukraine hostage in order to force Brussels to release billions of euros in EU funds. However, Brussels is still freezing another 21 billion euros that would have been intended for Hungary.
Scholz suggested Orban resign
According to DW reporter Jack Parrock in Brussels, the idea of Orban leaving the meeting room was Scholz's own idea.
Parrock described the final hours of the summit as “crazy” while Orban’s threat still lingered. “The idea of him leaving the room was actually an initiative of Olaf Scholz,” he said.
“It is possible to achieve unanimity when a head of state or government leaves the room. This is called 'constructive abstention'. If he is not in the room, the other leaders can move on, which means they can open talks on Ukraine's accession.”
This rather unusual way of agreeing to a decision especially something of this importance is unprecedented in Brussels, although the European capital has become a hub for very creative ideas when it comes to dealmaking.
Zelenski praises “motivating” victory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was traveling through Germany, said the decision was a “victory for Ukraine and for all of Europe; a victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens.”
In addition to the decision on Ukraine, European leaders also granted Georgia candidate country status, a step ahead of formal negotiations starting.
Attention now turns to the strategy of sending Ukraine a €50 billion package over four years, which Orban had also promised to veto. Kiev needs these funds to revive its wartorn economy and change the narrative that Western support is waning.
The vast majority of European leaders want to send a clear signal of solidarity with Ukraine, but decisions must be made unanimously or at least without dissenting voices. Orban had insisted that a decision on financial support could wait until the European elections in June 2024.
rc (AFP, Portal, DPA, DW)
Deutsche Welle is Germany's foreign broadcaster and produces independent journalism in 30 languages.