Hungary’s Veto Threatens $54 Billion War Support Package for Ukraine
The European Union (EU) is facing a major hurdle in providing a 50-billion-euro ($54 billion) war support package for Ukraine, as Hungary, a member state with close ties to Russia, continues to veto the aid. This issue will be the primary focus of EU leaders at an upcoming summit. The war in Ukraine, which began almost two years ago when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion, has reached a stalemate, and Ukraine is in desperate need of financial assistance.
EU Council President Charles Michel emphasized the importance of securing unanimous agreement on the aid package, stating that it is vital for the EU’s credibility and commitment to supporting Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to participate in the summit through a video speech.
The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has consistently opposed the aid package and vetoed it at a previous summit in December. Orban’s stance has raised concerns among EU diplomats who warn that Ukraine will face financial difficulties starting from March, according to international financial institutions.
For most EU countries, providing assistance to Ukraine is crucial in protecting the bloc from Russia’s threats and maintaining credibility on the global stage. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Ukraine is on European soil and that supporting its security and defense is essential for a peaceful and stable Europe.
Orban’s opposition to EU decisions regarding Russia has strained his relationship with other EU leaders since the full-scale invasion in 2022. He has criticized EU sanctions on Russia, calling them ineffective and counterproductive. Orban has also advocated for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, although he has not provided details on how this would impact Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Despite his opposition, Orban did not prevent the EU from initiating membership negotiations with Ukraine at the previous summit. However, due to concerns about democratic backsliding in Hungary, the EU has frozen the country’s access to billions of euros in funds. In response, Hungary has vetoed certain EU political decisions. Orban has proposed splitting the aid package into annual tranches and introducing a review mechanism, but this idea has not been well-received as it would allow him to block the funds in the future.
If the stalemate continues, it will not immediately deprive Ukraine of EU assistance. EU leaders have assured that they will ensure Ukraine’s short-term needs are met. The other 26 EU countries could choose to decouple the aid from the EU budget on a voluntary basis. However, this option is not favored as it would require approval from multiple national parliaments, creating further uncertainty.
Another possible scenario involves EU leaders extending the 18 billion euros ($19.5 billion) in financial assistance provided to Ukraine in 2023 from another program and supplementing it with additional loans. This decision could be adopted through a qualified majority, meaning Hungary would not be able to block it.
Overall, the EU has provided substantial support to Ukraine since the war began, amounting to approximately 85 billion euros ($92 billion). This includes economic support, military assistance measures, and aid to EU member states assisting Ukrainian refugees.
The outcome of the upcoming summit will determine whether Hungary’s veto will hinder the much-needed war support package for Ukraine. As tensions rise and financial difficulties loom for Ukraine, EU leaders must find a solution that upholds their commitment to supporting Ukraine while addressing Hungary’s concerns.