The European Commission is working on an alternative way to provide financial support to Ukraine if Hungary continues to be obstructive. “We are working hard to reach an agreement with all 27 member states, but it is now also necessary to look at alternatives,” said President Ursula von der Leyen after an EU summit meeting in Brussels.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocked a new 50 billion euro aid package for the Ukrainians during the summit on Thursday and Friday. He has said that this aid money should not be taken from the joint European budget, but that member states must arrange this themselves.
Von der Leyen did not mention any examples of alternatives to a unanimous decision, but indicated that the Commission will work towards solutions in the near future, “whatever happens at the next summit”. An additional EU summit will be held at the end of January or beginning of February to discuss the money for Ukraine again.
Charles Michel, the chairman of the EU heads of government, is confident that it will be possible to convince Hungary by then to participate in a common solution and says he will use “all possible arguments” to do so.
Orbán has indicated that he will only agree to aid for Ukraine if the Hungarians can claim the subsidies that the EU has frozen. According to Von der Leyen, clear criteria have been drawn up for releasing that money. This is not yet being paid out because Budapest still has to implement reforms from Europe. Hungary, for example, must do a better job tackling corruption and respecting academic freedom. If Hungary improves and meets the conditions, it can also receive more of the money, Von der Leyen said.
