European Union (EU) member states agreed on the 1st to an additional support package worth 50 billion euros (about 72 trillion won) for Ukraine, which is at war with Russia. Charles Michel, the permanent chairman of the EU Summit, said on his He continued, “This secures stable, long-term and predictable funding for Ukraine.”
In order to provide financial support to Ukraine, the consent of all 27 member countries is required, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has opposed it and put the brakes on it. The Financial Times (FT) reported that the EU’s resolution to provide funds to Ukraine on this day was the result of Hungary withdrawing its opposition. At a closed-door emergency meeting held in Brussels on this day, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned Prime Minister Orbán that an irreparable rupture would occur if he maintained his rejection stance. FT reported. Chairman Michel wrote to X that day, “We made a deal.” “Orban has come to his senses,” one EU diplomat told the FT.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is entering the conference hall to attend the European Council meeting held at the European Union (EU) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on the 1st. /AFP Yonhap News
The background to Hungary’s opposition to support for Ukraine was not only that Prime Minister Orbán was pro-Russian, but also that Hungary was trying to pressure EU funding for Hungary. The EU has frozen the payment of 30 billion euros in economic support allocated to Hungary for several years due to the Orbán government’s violation of judicial independence and suppression of the media. Of these, 10.2 billion euros were unfrozen at the end of last year in return for Hungary allowing Ukraine to begin the EU accession process, and Hungary has requested the EU to pay the remaining funds as well.
Hungary also opposed Sweden’s accession to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), but has recently shown a tendency to support it. Prime Minister Orban told X on the 24th of last month, “The government reaffirms its support for Sweden’s accession to NATO.” Sweden applied to join NATO to receive collective defense benefits in May 2022, but membership has been delayed due to Hungary’s opposition in September of last year. Many believe that Sweden opposed Hungary because it described it as a ‘country where democracy is being violated’ in a 2019 secondary school education video. Joining NATO requires unanimous consent from 31 member countries.
–
🌎Global issues picked by Chosun Ilbo’s International Department! Subscribe to our newsletter ☞ https://page.stibee.com/subscriptions/275739
🌎Solve the international quiz and receive gifts! ☞
#concludes #trillion #won #support #plan #Ukraine.. #Hungarian #Prime #Minister #Orban #senses
2024-02-01 12:13:00
