Hungary abstained from starting negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership, but vetoed an additional 50 billion euros in aid.
European Union leaders failed on the night of Thursday to Friday, December 15, to persuade Hungary to lift its veto on new €50 billion in aid to Ukraine after it had previously succeeded in opening accession negotiations with this country, which was at war.
“Summary of the evening: veto of additional funds for Ukraine” in relation to the proposed revision of the European budget, stated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on X (ex-Twitter). The 26 other EU countries that met with Hungary at a summit in Brussels had to bow to the stubbornness of the Hungarian nationalist leader.
“We are 26 countries that have given the green light”
“We will return to the issue at the beginning of January,” said European Council President Charles Michel in the middle of the night at a new summit.
“There are 26 countries that have given the green light. There is currently no agreement with Hungary, but I am confident that we will reach it next year,” added Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The EU had planned to provide Ukraine with aid worth 50 billion euros over a four-year period starting next year, including 33 billion euros in loans and 17 billion euros in grants. This new aid is seen as crucial in Kyiv as more than $60 billion in American aid remains blocked in Congress due to reluctance from Republican elected officials.
Opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU
However, a few hours earlier, European heads of state and government had managed to agree on starting accession negotiations with Ukraine. This time, Viktor Orban had agreed to abstain from voting in order to avoid having to agree to a decision that he still considers catastrophic for the future of the EU.
The Hungarian leader “was not in the room when the text was adopted, it was agreed with him,” said a European diplomat who requested anonymity.
“It is a pragmatic solution (…) The political signal has been given,” he continued. In a video published on Facebook, Viktor Orban then explained that his country did not want to share the “responsibility” for this “senseless” decision of the 26 other states and therefore “abstained”.
“It is a victory for Ukraine, for all of Europe, a victory that motivates, inspires and makes us stronger,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as the White House hailed a “historic decision”. Although the process will be lengthy, the symbolism is strong for this country, which has been at war since February 24, 2022, the date the Russian invasion began.
For Charles Michel, this decision to start negotiations with Ukraine, but also with Moldova, is “a clear signal of hope for the citizens of these countries and for our continent.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed “a strong sign of support” for Ukraine, which offers this country “a perspective”. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of a “logical, just and necessary response” to the aspirations of his people.