A public defense which has the merit of removing the last doubts – for those who still have them – about the position of Hungary and its leader, Viktor Orban. The Central European country received Moscow’s blessing this Friday. The Kremlin said Budapest was “defending” its interests, “unlike many European countries”, after the Hungarian Prime Minister blocked new European Union aid to Ukraine.
What happened ?
The EU had planned to provide Ukraine with aid of 50 billion euros, 33 billion in loans and 17 billion euros in grants, over four years starting next year. This new aid is considered crucial in kyiv at a time when American aid of more than 60 billion dollars remains blocked in Congress due to reluctance from Republican elected officials.
Viktor Orban vetoed the release of this aid, a veto that a long night of negotiations in Brussels did not make it possible to unblock. On the other hand, Viktor Orban let go on Thursday on the opening of negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, abstaining from the procedure and in fact allowing the opening of discussions.
What are Viktor Orban’s conditions?
The nationalist leader makes the release of this aid to Ukraine conditional on the release of all European funds for his country. “I have always said that if we proceeded with an amendment to the EU budget […], Hungary would take the opportunity to clearly claim what it deserves. Not half, not a quarter, but all of it,” he said on state radio.
Why are funds going to Hungary frozen?
Several billions in aid intended for his country are currently blocked, due to the breaches of the rule of law criticized in Budapest. Hungary therefore wants to play on its position and conditions its support for Ukraine on the payment of these billions in aid. Budapest already obtained the release of ten billion euros of European funds on Wednesday, after a decision by the European Commission which provoked the anger of certain MEPs. In total, 21 billion of European funds intended for Hungary are still frozen by the EU.
What are the options to resolve the situation?
A new summit of heads of state and government has already been announced for early 2024 by the President of the European Council Charles Michel. “There are 26 countries that have given the green light. There is no agreement with Hungary at the moment, but I am confident that we will achieve it next year,” stressed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.