Worthy Christian News > World News > EU Leaders Agree On $54 Billion For Ukraine After Hungary Lifts Opposition (Worthy News Radio)

EU Leaders Agree On $54 Billion For Ukraine After Hungary Lifts Opposition (Worthy News Radio)

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

BRUSSELS/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – European Union leaders have agreed to create a 50 billion euro ($54 billion) fund for Ukraine after getting on board Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had threatened to veto the deal.

Orbán, who had vowed to block the package, apparently changed his mind after mounting pressure, including from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “I mean, there are definitely no problems with the so-called fatigue from Ukraine. We now have fatigue from Orbán in Brussels. We need to solve so many problems. Look at the streets not only in Brussels,” he stressed, referring to farmers’ protests.

“I cannot understand, cannot accept this very strange and very selfish game of Viktor Orbán. And there is no room for compromise on our principles, such as the rule of law, and of course, there is no room for compromise on the issue of Ukraine. And therefore, what we can offer Viktor Orbán, as always, is to treat him fairly, by our rules and procedures, and nothing more,” the prime minister added.

Under European Union rules, all EU member states must approve the funding, but Orbán had threatened to veto the package.

He changed his position only after last-minute talks with several EU leaders, such as the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

The EU’s European Commission and Council presidents, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, also clarified that they expected Hungary to vote yes.

‘IMPORTANT MESSAGE’

German Chancellor Scholz said the deal sends an important message. “We agreed to give about 12 billion euros annually in total 50 billion. It sends a good message to the Ukrainian people who suffer under the Russian attacks. But it also was important for us as the EU to show we are standing united. For me it was important thaT all 27 member states needed to support this,” he explained.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán, seen as the EU’s closest ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, received EU financial and political pledges in exchange for his support for the deal.

At Orbán’s request, there will be an annual report by the EU’s executive European Commission on implementing the aid package, followed by a debate at the leaders’ level.

And, if needed, the European Council of Prime Ministers can ask the Commission to propose a review of the new budget in two years.

Orbán says the review is essential as before war broke out, Ukraine had been classified by Transparency International as among the most corrupt countries.

EU leaders also added a line to earlier conclusions that the way the European Commission evaluates the rule of law in Hungary is done fairly and objectively. That was music to the ears of Orbán as his nation still awaited billions in EU funding that had been frozen amid rule-of-law concerns.

MORE MONEY?

Thursday’s deal has increased the chances for Hungary to at least receive part of the more than 30 billion dollars it still awaits from the EU.

With billions now on the way, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the decision “once again proves strong EU unity.”

The four-year package is designed to keep Ukraine’s economy afloat, with cash for hospitals, schools, and civil servants’ wages and pensions.

It comes amid mounting concerns about the hundreds of thousands of lives that are believed to have been lost in Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War Two.

While Orbán reluctantly voted for the aid package, he said there is no military solution to end the war and that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia should begin as soon as possible.

He has also indicated that he may be willing to meet Ukraine’s president in part to talk about improving the plight of ethnic minorities, including Hungarians, many of whom have died while fighting in Ukraine’s army against Russia, which invaded the country some two years ago.