Will Ukraine soon receive support from the EU? Viktor Orban sets conditions

Hungary may withdraw its veto against the EU aid package for Ukraine, provided that Brussels agrees to the conditions set by Budapest, reports "Politico." Viktor Orban demands that the financing be reviewed annually. If an agreement is reached, Kyiv may soon receive the first tranche of EUR 12.5 billion.

Viktor Orban's Hungary is the only European Union member state that opposes the payment of the EU aid package to Ukraine. According to the plan's assumptions, Kyiv would receive a total of EUR 50 billion over four years, EUR 12.5 billion each year. The money would be paid in the form of grants and loans.

The importance of winning against Russia was emphasized, highlighting that if Ukraine doesn't receive funds to maintain its army and continue the war soon, “it will have to retreat defensively or lose on many sections of the front”.

Will Ukraine soon receive support from the EU? Viktor Orban sets conditions

To date, due to Hungary's veto, the measures have still not been approved. Politico reports that this may change soon. The portal has received information that indicates that Viktor Orban is ready to make concessions, although he sets tough conditions. If an agreement is reached, the disbursement of funds could be approved at an EU summit scheduled for the first week of February.

According to three EU diplomats interviewed by Politico, Hungary is ready to lift the veto provided that the disbursement of funds is reviewed annually. Orban's proposal also assumes that the decision to continue support for Kyiv will have to be made unanimously by all members of the European Council.

“Politico” notes that the mechanism proposed by Hungary gives this country the opportunity to force concessions from the EU every time. Every 12 months, Orban will be able to threaten to block the re-disbursement of funds if his conditions are not met.

Some diplomats emphasize that this type of solution is not optimal. As they explain, the EU budget from which the money would be paid is created once every seven years and should be changed as rarely as possible.

Whether Orban's proposal will be accepted may become clear soon. A meeting of ambassadors of member states to the EU is scheduled for Wednesday, during which, among other topics, an aid package for Ukraine will be discussed.