So far, the EU has allocated 5.6 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine under the EFF (European Peace Facility). But impossible to pay kyiv the eighth tranche because Viktor Orban brandished his veto. A way for the Hungarian Prime Minister to protest against the blacklisting by the Ukrainian authorities of a Hungarian bank which continues to do business in Russia.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Budapest, Florence La Bruyère
“ Ukrainians are fighting with all their courage and all their abilities. If the EU wants them to be more successful, we need to give them better and bigger weapons», declared Josep Borrell, the head of foreign policy of the European Union, last Monday October 2 in kyiv, during the extraordinary meeting of European foreign ministers.
But Hungary has decided to play spoilsport and is trying to sabotage the common European policy on financing aid to Ukraine. Because last May, Ukraine placed the Hungarian bank OTP on a blacklist. The bank still has more than two million customers in Russia. kyiv therefore accuses him of sponsoring the war led by Moscow. A scandalous ban for the Orban government, which made use of its right to veto. Result: he blocked European military aid worth 500 million euros.
However, Ukraine urgently needs this support. Especially since the 6 billion dollars promised by the United States were suspended by the American Congress.
Pressures
Caught by the throat, kyiv decided to water down its wine and temporarily removed the Hungarian bank from the blacklist. The final withdrawal will take place when the bank has completely cut ties with Moscow. She has made commitments in this direction.
Ukraine is not the only one wanting to cajole Viktor Orban. The European Commission could release 13 billion euros of European funds intended for Budapest and frozen by Brussels for failure to respect the rule of law. In exchange, according toFinancial Timesthe Commission would ask Viktor Orban to vote on the next European budget, which includes substantial aid to Ukraine.
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