The agreement at the special EU summit on additional billions in aid to Ukraine came about because Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did not carry out his veto threat. However, Orbán did not change his mind towards a pro-Ukrainian stance. Instead, he wants his compatriots to believe that he has once again ‘asserted himself’.
If Hungary had continued to block aid, the 26 other EU member states would have agreed to transfer EU money intended for Hungary to Ukraine, the national conservative politician said on Friday.
“We fought it out!”
Orban emphasized during his weekly propaganda appearance on state radio, disguised as an interview, that he had had the upper hand. Shortly after the agreement was announced on Thursday, he explained his view on matters: “We fought it out! The Hungarians do not give money to the Ukrainians!” it said on Orbán’s Facebook page.
Hungary will receive the blocked money from Brussels, will not supply weapons to Ukraine and will contribute to Ukraine’s civilian financing. However, EU diplomats said there were no plans at all to use the money earmarked for Hungary for other purposes.
Orban isolated in the EU
The EU summit ended surprisingly quickly on Thursday because Orban withdrew his veto on 50 billion euros in aid. He found himself isolated among the other 26 EU governments. The Hungarian Prime Minister gave up his resistance after French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, among others, met him behind closed doors for talks. What exactly was discussed has not been leaked.
In addition, he was once again assured that the frozen 20 billion euros in EU subsidies for Hungary would be paid out. However, this may only happen if the country meets the European Commission’s reform requirements. The Hungarian government is accused of serious violations of the rule of law.
Hungary has no veto power over the revision
A review clause was also agreed on aid to Ukraine. However, the 26 other EU countries have ensured that Hungary no longer has a veto: now there must be a unanimous vote of the EU-27 before aid to Ukraine can even be controlled. Orban had originally demanded an annual decision on EU payments to Ukraine.
Source: Krone
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