While Péter Szijjártó says that the solution is not found on the battlefield, the Ukrainian government believes in a military solution.Continue reading
“We have reached an agreement,” announced Charles Michel, President of the European Council, on his social media platform. All 27 leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with an additional €50 billion aid package from the EU budget, wrote Charles Michel after a vote during the summit of the heads of state and government of the European Union Member States in Brussels.
We have a deal. #Unity
All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget.
This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for #Ukraine.
EU is taking leadership & responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is…
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 1, 2024
According to unofficial sources, the decision was made after an agreement on the Hungarian condition, under which the European Commission will have to review spending annually and the report will be examined by the European Council. The announcement was also welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Later on, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is expected to hold talks with his Swedish counterpart in Brussels, but this is not expected to be a replacement for a meeting in Budapest, where Ulf Kristersson was invited previously by the Prime Minister. Sweden’s NATO membership could in substance only be discussed during a visit to Budapest.
Viktor Orbán (R) is greeted by Ulf Kristersson (L). MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán
There was no shortage of personal jibes directed at Viktor Orbán in comments made to journalists during arrivals. Chief among the commenters, old-new Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk complained about what he called Viktor Orbán’s “egoistic games.” The controversial Polish politician, who has only recently purged his country’s media of dissenting conservative voices, has also claimed that “there is no room for compromise” with regard to the Ukraine financial aid. He had proved somewhat premature in his resoluteness, as the agreement had reportedly contained the compromise tabled by Orbán. As Magyar Nemzet reported, when Tusk was asked a surprise question by a Hungarian journalist, as to what he thinks of the Hungarian compromise proposal, he could not articulate what his objections were, only to say visibly confused that “if Viktor Orbán wants to use the veto every year, it would be very problematic for Ukraine and for us to have a consistent program.”
In Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s view aired before the vote, “everything depends on what position Viktor Orbán takes today.” “I trust that we will reach a compromise,” he added.
Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured image: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán