European Union leaders plan to convene in Brussels on Feb. 1 in an attempt to reach an agreement on providing new financial aid to Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s invasion, as reported by Reuters. Last month, Hungary blocked a proposal to offer 50 billion euros ($55 billion) to Ukraine through the EU budget for the next several years.
This week, the EU’s top executive expressed optimism that all 27 member states will be able to come to a decision. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has indicated that a deal is possible, but his chief of staff recently stated that Budapest and the EU still have significant differences.
The following are various options being considered in Brussels and their reception in the Hungarian capital:
1. All 27 EU member nations reaching a deal within the shared budget of the EU. This is seen as the EU’s primary option, but Orban has stated that he would veto it again, expressing concerns about committing funds for an extended period while the situation in Ukraine remains uncertain.
2. All 27 EU members agreeing to provide financial aid through a special financial vehicle outside of their shared budget. Although this option is not favored in Brussels, it has received a positive response from Orban, who referred to it as “the Hungarian plan A!”. However, Budapest is advocating for annual commitments and assistance based on countries’ gross national income, which would grant Ukraine less financial predictability.
3. The remaining 26 EU nations considering moving forward without Hungary’s consent. This could involve each nation providing support to Kyiv individually, but it would complicate the process and expose a division within the EU regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Despite cautious optimism from officials in Brussels and Budapest, there is still the possibility of unexpected developments that could disrupt the outcome of the Feb. 1 summit.
The discussion on financial aid for Ukraine overlaps with the ongoing dispute between the EU and Hungary over the rule of law. The EU suspended tens of billions in funding for Hungary due to concerns about Orban’s democracy practices, and a significant amount remains frozen, with Hungarian officials expressing defiance regarding EU democratic requirements.
Reported by Boldizsar Gyori and Anita Komuves, Written by Gabriela Baczynska, Edited by Hugh Lawson
