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Hungary blocks Ukraine aid as EU agrees to membership talks
Posted
December 15, 2023
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December 15, 2023
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2:19Now PlayingEuropean Union leaders granted Ukraine a major political win on Thursday (December 14) by agreeing to start membership negotiations. But long-term opposer of Ukraine's bid, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, vetoed a major EU aid package on Friday (December 15), warning he could still halt Kyiv's accession to the bloc.
Kyiv celebrated a major political win on Thursday (December 15), as European Union leaders agreed to start membership talks with Ukraine.
But the bloc could not agree on a $55 billion package of financial aid for the war-torn nation due to opposition from Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties to Russia, vetoed the monetary support for Kyiv, warning he could still halt its accession.
"Hungary bears no responsibility for this, we can halt this process later on, and if needed we will pull on the brakes, and the ultimate decision will be made by the Hungarian parliament."
He added that it was necessary for him to block the aid, if Hungary is to get the funds it wants from the EU budget.
The bloc's decision to open membership talks with Ukraine, even as it continues to fight Russia's invasion, was an unexpected one.
Other leaders bypassed objections from Orban by getting him to leave the room while the remaining states voted to start accession negotiations.
Approving a major decision in this way is unheard of in Brussels.
Talks on the financial package, which requires unanimity of all 27 EU leaders, were halted in the early hours of Friday morning.
Leaders said they would try again in January, with some voicing optimism a deal could be clinched then.
Here's Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas.
"What we have to work with is the financial support. What I can assure you is that Ukraine will not be left without support, there was a strong will of the 26 to provide this support, and there are different ways how we can do this."
Member states could also provide aid individually or strike separate deals.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed the "remarkable result" for Ukraine and the European continent.
"History is made by those who don't get tired of fighting for freedom," he added in a social media post.
For Ukraine, the talks themselves are likely to take years.
But the decision is a step closer to its long-term strategic goal of anchoring itself in the West and liberating itself from Moscow's orbit.
#ukraine #hugary #eu #politics
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