Hungary’s veto blocked a joint EU statement that aimed to provide Kyiv with €30 billion in aid by year’s end.
The European Union failed to reach an agreement on a new €30 billion ($32 billion) military aid package for Ukraine after Hungary exercised its veto power during an emergency European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday. Despite the backing of 26 EU members, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s opposition stalled further assistance to Kyiv.
The proposed agreement, encompassing five key points, included security assurances for Ukraine, a commitment to exclude Russia from negotiations without Kyiv’s involvement, and a pledge to uphold Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty. However, Orban, a prominent critic of providing military aid to Ukraine and a proponent of peace negotiations, rejected the proposal, asserting that it contradicted Hungary’s position.
”It talks about Ukraine needing to be strengthened so that it can fight even further. And Hungary, of course, did not support it because this was completely contrary to our position in favor of peace,” Orban stated to reporters following the meeting.
According to the official statement released on the European Council’s website, the ultimate decision regarding support for Ukraine has been deferred until the next EU leaders’ summit, scheduled for March 20.
Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa suggested that the EU is exploring alternatives to continue providing military aid to Ukraine, despite Hungary’s objections.
”Hungary has a different approach on Ukraine; it means Hungary is isolated within the EU27 – and 26 are more than one,” Costa commented. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also alluded to a potential alternative strategy, indicating that the bloc is developing a “coalition of the willing” to enable member states to sustain military assistance to Ukraine without requiring unanimous consent.
The emergency summit was convened amidst escalating concerns among EU leaders regarding the potential consequences of US President Donald Trump’s recent policy shift concerning Ukraine. Numerous media reports indicate that Trump has suspended new military aid to Kyiv. He has also urged the EU to assume greater responsibility for Ukraine’s war efforts and its own defense.
While the decision on aid to Ukraine was postponed, EU leaders, including Orban, did approve a separate initiative to increase European defense spending by up to €800 billion. This plan, known as ReArm Europe, was introduced earlier in the week by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who stated that she will present formal legal proposals within the next two weeks.
Russia has consistently cautioned against Western military support for Ukraine, arguing that it only prolongs the conflict and heightens the risk of escalation.
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