Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban resolutely opposes the EU’s aid package worth 50 billion Euros to Ukraine, dealing a painful blow to Kiev. IT photo
The EU is expected to hold talks at an extraordinary summit on February 1 to make progress on a stalled aid package for Ukraine, according to Kyiv Post.
After Hungary’s veto, Brussels is making efforts to provide finance to Ukraine because US support for the country is also limited due to political disputes.
After meeting his ally Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday, January 16, Orban said Budapest would be willing to contribute a fair share in a new aid package for Ukraine, as long as it did not involve block budget.
“Hungary is ready to support Ukraine, we will do so with our budget. We do not want to borrow jointly with anyone and do not want this issue to be included in the EU budget,” Mr. Orban told A reporter held a press conference on January 16 in Budapest with his Slovak counterpart – Mr. Fico.
“If we want to help Ukraine… we must do so without damaging the EU budget. The pre-allocation of 50 billion Euro from the EU budget over 4 years is a violation of budget management and national interests. We don’t even know what will happen in a quarter of a year,” the Hungarian leader added.
Both Mr. Orban and Fico criticized the EU’s sending of aid to Ukraine, although Mr. Fico voted in favor of the 50 billion Euro aid package that Mr. Orban blocked last December.
Speaking with Mr. Orban, Mr. Fico said Hungary’s proposal was “reasonable and meaningful”.
“If all 27 EU countries want to pass the budget amendment and agree to aid Ukraine, Hungary’s views must be heard, the EU negotiates and a common solution must be found with Hungary,” Mr. Fico said.
Orban is one of the few European leaders who has not had any formal negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the war between Ukraine and Russia began.
A few days after Mr. Orban vetoed EU aid to Ukraine, President Zelensky proposed direct negotiations with him to “find a solution” to their differences. The Hungarian and Ukrainian foreign ministers are expected to meet on January 29 to prepare the ground for a possible meeting between the leaders of the two sides.
