At a summit held on Thursday, European Union leaders turned their attention to the member state that has been blocking a crucial 50-billion-euro ($54 billion) war support package for Ukraine: Hungary. As the country with the closest ties to Russia within the EU, Hungary's veto has stalled the much-needed financial assistance for Ukraine, which has been engaged in a stalemate with Russia since the invasion launched by President Vladimir Putin almost two years ago.
The aid package requires unanimous support from all EU members. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has consistently opposed it and stood firm in his veto, even after it was initially rejected at a previous summit in December. With Ukraine on the brink of financial difficulties, EU Council President Charles Michel emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement to demonstrate the bloc's commitment to providing steadfast support to Ukraine.
For the majority of EU countries, assisting Ukraine is not only crucial for protecting the bloc from Russian threats but also for maintaining credibility on the global stage. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to be credible in terms of security and defense against neighboring countries, stating, 'Ukraine is on European soil. It is a European country. And if we want a peaceful and stable Europe, we need to be credible in terms of our own security and defense vis-à-vis all our neighbors.'
Orban has consistently drawn the ire of EU leaders since Russia's invasion in 2022. He has criticized the effectiveness of EU sanctions on Russia and has advocated for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, albeit without providing clear details regarding Ukraine's territorial integrity.
While Orban did not prevent the EU from initiating membership negotiations with Ukraine during the previous summit, he has proposed splitting the aid into annual tranches and introducing a review mechanism. However, this proposal has been met with skepticism as it would potentially enable Orban to block the funds at a later stage. EU leaders have been unwilling to endorse this suggestion.
In the event that the stalemate persists, immediate impact on Ukraine's access to EU assistance is unlikely. EU leaders have pledged to ensure that Ukraine's short-term needs are met. One possible alternative is to decouple the aid from the EU budget, allowing the 26 other member countries to provide assistance on a voluntary basis. However, this option would necessitate approval from multiple national parliaments, leading to increased uncertainty.
A more likely 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 approach could be adopted through a qualified majority vote, rendering Hungary's veto ineffective.
According to EU figures, the total support provided to Ukraine since the start of the war amounts to approximately 85 billion euros ($92 billion). This includes funds directed towards supporting Ukraine's economy, military assistance measures, and aid to EU member states accommodating Ukrainian war refugees.
The summit has highlighted the challenges and divisions within the EU when it comes to supporting Ukraine. While the importance of assisting Ukraine is recognized by the majority of member states, the actions of Hungary and its Prime Minister continue to impede progress. As the stalemate persists, EU leaders remain committed to finding alternative solutions to ensure that Ukraine's urgent needs are met.
