Hungary Blocks EU Aid for Ukraine After Membership Talks Approved
Just hours after the European Union (EU) agreed to start membership talks with Ukraine, Hungary has blocked €50bn ($55bn; £43bn) in EU aid for Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed the extra aid for Ukraine after Thursday’s talks in Brussels, stating, “Summary of the nightshift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine.”
Although Hungary, which maintains close ties with Russia, did not veto the move to start membership talks with Ukraine, Mr. Orban left the negotiating room while the other 26 EU leaders went ahead with the vote.
“We still have some time, Ukraine is not out of money in the next few weeks,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, suggesting that a deal on the aid could be reached early next year.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the EU decision on membership talks as a “victory.” Moldovan President Maia Sandu also expressed her delight at sharing the path to EU accession with Ukraine.
However, President Vladimir Putin mocked Ukraine earlier on Thursday, claiming that Western support was running out. “Excuse my vulgarity, but everything is being brought in as a freebie. But those freebies could run out at some point,” he stated.
Talks on joining the EU can take years, so the decision to start membership talks on Thursday does not guarantee Ukraine membership. EU candidate countries have to pass a series of reforms to adhere to standards ranging from rule of law to the economy. Nonetheless, the EU’s executive has already praised Ukraine for completing more than 90% of the steps taken so far on justice and tackling corruption.
EU leaders confirmed that negotiations on the aid package and wider budget proposals for the bloc would resume early next year. Despite Hungary’s opposition, the overwhelming support from other EU leaders signals a positive outlook for Ukraine’s path toward EU membership.