European Union approves $54 billion aid for Ukraine as Hungary drops opposition

From left, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and European Council President Charles Michel arrive to a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday. "Ukraine is our priority and this agreement will give the credibility, legitimacy and the predictability that is expected from us," Metsola said. (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

PARIS — The European Union has reached a deal to include 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in funding for Ukraine in its budget for the next three years. The agreement came surprisingly quickly after Hungary, long opposed, reversed its stance.

The money will help Kyiv keep its economy running in 2024 and sustain essential services such as health care, social protection and pensions.