The European Union has failed to agree on an important €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister, the ultra-conservative Viktor Orbán, has blocked negotiations on a review of the EU budget, just hours after he lifted his veto on starting accession negotiations with the invaded country. After long and intense debates at a summit marked by the Hungarian position, which demands a counterpart in return for the opening of the Common Fund; The Twenty-Seven decided to continue looking for a solution in January. Until then, there is still room for financial support outside the budget without counting on Budapest. The EU's decision to leave a crucial oxygen tank in the air to keep Ukraine afloat is a consequence of difficulties that have also arisen in providing financial aid to the United States, which has arisen due to internal fighting and Republican opposition could not agree on the promised 60 euros billion package to support Kiev in its resistance against the Russian invader.
Orbán, who is much closer to Moscow – he met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin this year – than Kiev and who in recent weeks has called for a review of the bloc's position on Ukraine, allowed the EU to give the country symbolic support granted, with the opening of accession negotiations that could drag on for years and continue to cause problems at every step. It is a victory for Kiev, because without Hungary this decision would not be possible. However, the ultra-conservatives managed to block the funds. And he did it by pulling out the blackmail card again. “I've always said that if someone wants to change the budget – and they do – then this is a great opportunity for Hungary to make it clear that it has to get what's coming. Not half, not a quarter,” Orbán said on Hungarian state radio this Friday.
The European Commission on Wednesday, on the eve of a crucial summit, released 10.2 billion euros to Hungary that it had frozen over its rule of law violations as it completed part of reforms to the justice system to reverse that authoritarian trend. but there are others left. 21,000 million will be withheld for these violations. The ultra-conservative populist is once again repeating the order that has been circulating for weeks not to raise his hand until all the money has been released. When he left the European Council at dawn after negotiations collapsed, he bragged about his gesture on social networks. “The Night Shift Roundup: Veto extra money to Ukraine,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Night shift summary:
🚫 Veto the additional money to Ukraine,
🚫 Veto the MFF review.
We will return to the topic next year #EUCO after appropriate preparation.— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 15, 2023
Orbán, who was not in the room when the leaders voted to open accession negotiations with Ukraine (they have also started them with Moldova), in what is seen as a “constructive abstention,” was blessed with his silence and absence – at the suggestion of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – a move seen as a boost for Ukraine's morale. Nevertheless, it maintains its blocking of the decision to give Kiev more money related to the common treasury. He refused despite pressure from his counterparts, first in the summit room and then in a petitions committee, in a meeting with the President of the Council, Charles Michel, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Spanish President, Pedro Sánchez, the Italian Giorgia Meloni, the French Emmanuel Macron and the Dutch Mark Rutte. Without Orban's presence, these six leaders explored options for saving aid using a formula that did not include Hungary, but Plan B, which was always on the table, is seen as a step backwards for now. There are always shortcuts when raising funds, which in turn cannot be used when starting accession negotiations.
The budget review, which the European Commission called for in light of the new priorities of Europe's new reality – with a war on its territory, the consequences of a pandemic and the increase in arrivals of asylum seekers – includes other points aimed at competitiveness and migration management. But it is the chapter with 50 billion for Ukraine (17 billion in subsidies and 33 billion in loans) that finds consensus. However, with the exception of Hungary, which has in principle exercised its right to veto the agreement, another member state, Sweden, requires Parliament's consent to approve it, as the President of the European Council explained earlier this morning. “We have tools for Ukraine, which has our support. There is a political commitment,” said Charles Michel. The conclusions of the meeting published this Friday emphasize that the measure enjoys the “firm support” of 26 partners.
Join EL PAÍS to follow all the news and read without restrictions.
Subscribe to
The Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, in Brussels this Friday. Gaetan Claessens (DPA/Europa Press)
Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia: “We will reach an agreement”
“We will reach an agreement on providing financial assistance to Ukraine,” said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas with conviction this Friday when she arrived at the European Council where the summit continues. This is also the opinion of Alexander de Croo, the head of state of Belgium, which takes over the EU Council presidency in January, replacing Spain: “Big steps have been taken to reach a common position, but we still need a few weeks.” achieve it.” Regarding the risk of possible support conflicts due to the Hungarian position, De Croo emphasized the political victory that the start of EU integration talks meant for Kiev, which Orban did not reject. “Even in difficult times, we stick together. And the decision “No matter what is said, it is a decision of 27; the twenty-seven were part of this decision,” emphasized the Belgian Prime Minister.
The heads of state and government of the Union had agreed to return to the negotiating table to negotiate the budget review, which would entail the disbursement of another 22,000 million euros (compared to the more than 65,000 that the municipal executive board received under the Ursula von der Leyen's leadership was called for), this is Michel's suggestion that pushed EL PAÍS forward. However, it cannot be ruled out that an economic stimulus package outside the budget will be agreed beforehand. The EU's 50 billion euros in the air is intended to help Ukraine cover ongoing costs, but the invaded country may hold on with just a small delay despite being under intense pressure due to a gap in support from Washington. The latest reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) show that the situation is not yet desperate.
Meanwhile, some member states, such as Germany, have pledged to increase their bilateral support. “Putin is determined to bring Ukraine to its knees with his military aggression,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said this week, before repeating his promise to send around 9 billion euros to Kiev in 2024.[El líder ruso] expects a decline in international support for Ukraine. Unfortunately, there is no denying the danger that his predictions will come true,” he admitted.
Follow all international information on Facebook and Xor in our weekly newsletter.
Subscribe to continue reading
Read without limits
_