Orban threatens to block all EU aid to Ukraine — report
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Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor
Orban has written to European Council President Charles Michel, demanding a
review of EU’s strategy for supporting Ukraine. Otherwise, Hungary could block
new tranches of aid and Ukraine's future accession to the bloc, Politico
reported on Nov. 22.
Orban believes that the European Union cannot make new decisions on funding or initiate negotiations for Ukraine's EU accession until a "strategic discussion" on Ukraine's support has taken place within the EU.
He also referenced the issues with approving financing aid to Kyiv in the United States and expressed doubts about the wisdom of continuing EU assistance.
"The European Council must have a frank and open discussion about the feasibility of EU's strategic objectives in Ukraine," the letter stated.
The PM thinks that the EU "is not able to make crucial decisions" regarding Ukraine unless there is a consensus on the future strategy of support.
The report noted that Orban's letter "raises the stakes in the ongoing standoff between Budapest and Brussels," which is withholding EUR 13 billion ($14.2 billion) in EU funds for Hungary over concerns that the country does not meet European standards in the rule of law.
On Nov. 8, the European Commission recommended starting membership negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova.
Following this, Orban stated that the European Union should not start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the bloc, stressing that this is Hungary's "clear position."
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also claims that Ukraine "would bring war into the European Union," thus the country is "not yet fit for EU membership."
On Nov. 21, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine’s disagreements with Hungary are not insurmountable and can be resolved diplomatically.
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