live blog
Status: 12/13/2022 03:02 a.m
The EU has reached a compromise with Hungary to release aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is proposing a withdrawal from Russia for Christmas. All developments in the live blog.
3:02 a.m
Zelenskyj proposes Russia’s withdrawal for Christmas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indirectly suggested to Moscow that occupation troops be withdrawn from Ukraine by Christmas. With this step, Russia could show its true intentions, said Zelenskyj in a video link to the G7 summit in Berlin. Should Russia withdraw its armies from Ukraine, this would ensure a reliable cessation of hostilities. “And I don’t see any reason why Russia isn’t doing this now, at Christmas. The answer from Moscow will show what they really want there,” Zelenskyj was quoted as saying by the Unian state agency. The G7 countries promised Ukraine their continued support in the defensive fight against Russia during the video link.
3:02 a.m
Compromise reached with Hungary to release EU aid to Ukraine
After a long dispute over money for Budapest, Hungary and the other EU countries have found a compromise that also enables the release of 18 billion euros in financial aid to Ukraine. This was announced by the Czech Council Presidency on Twitter in the evening. The basic agreement was decided by the EU ambassadors, now the member states still have to confirm it. The dispute was essentially about rule of law problems in Hungary. The EU Commission therefore wanted to withdraw more than 13 billion euros in EU funds from the country. For its part, Budapest therefore blocked planned EU emergency aid for Ukraine amounting to 18 billion euros, which requires unanimity. Several countries then accused Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban of “blackmail”. With the compromise that has now been found on EU funds for Hungary, aid can be sent to Kiev.