EU steps up pressure on Orban to stop aid to Ukraine

they try to get the government viktor orban unlock a help fifty billion In Ukraine for four years, ahead of the extraordinary summit this Thursday. At the last meeting of the European Council in December, Hungary vetoed this initiative, Now many member states They have lost patience with Orbán To systematically use its veto power against aid to Ukraine. The council will be ready to take action.

Peter CracoDirector of Idea Lab political capital Assurance**:**”We have never seen anything like this Solitude of a new member state compared to other EU member states. And this appears to be a test for the EU as to how far it can handle its own internal disagreements.” Now EU institutions and member states are desperately trying to find a solution: They are preparing a Alternative financing for Kyiv With the remaining 26 countries outside the EU budget, a regime of restrictions Which is already implemented against Budapest due to its democratic regression.

Vera JourovaThe European Commission’s Vice-President for Values ​​and Transparency assured: “We will see if the leaders will have enough patience to negotiate”. viktor orban Or will they take this new path by using Article 7. But this is only speculation.”Hungary’s first statements indicated that it would be open to a deal if the EU allowed an annual review of aid to Ukraine. Which was rejected by other countries. Budapest He Also demanded concessions regarding frozen EU funds: a total of 20 billion euros.

Craco gives credit to Orbán bargaining power: “Orbán still has a kind of transactional logic, which means that if you get good offers, it means you can give up your veto and obstructive approach in the decision-making process. But I don’t think it can solve the long-term problem. And the long-term problem appears to be that Hungary’s legal system and political systems do not seem to fit the institutional structures and values ​​of the European Union.” ,

Ukraine needs support total urgency Helping the EU to continue its defense against Russian aggression. Just as American aid to Kiev is also blocked in Washington.

additional sources • Enrique Barrucco (voice-over)