Prime Minister Petteri Orpo was disappointed that Hungary did not accept Ukraine’s financial aid. According to Orpo, it is possible to make decisions even without Hungary.
BRUSSELS The two-day summit of the European Council has ended. At the meeting held in Brussels, it was decided, among other things, to start EU membership negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova.
However, the decision on the 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine was postponed. Hungary was not ready to accept the package negotiated by other EU countries.
Prime minister Petteri Orpon (co.) according to the postponement of the decision is disappointing.
– Hungary needs to think about where it stands in the group. Whether it wants to make joint solutions or not, Orpo stated after the meeting.
The solution will be moved to next year
The decision on Ukraine’s economic aid will now be moved to January, when the EU leaders are scheduled to meet at an extra summit.
According to Orpo, the EU must be ready to decide whether to support Ukraine with or without Hungary.
– I assume that a solution will be sought with the strength of twenty-seven or twenty-six countries, Orpo stated.
Orpo described the discussion related to support for Ukraine as frustrating.
According to him, all other member states except Hungary support Ukraine’s long-term support package and the updating of the EU’s multi-year budget framework.
– I wouldn’t say that the union is fragmented, but one country is in a different camp than the others.
Finland’s contribution share is increasing
According to the budget proposal, member countries’ contributions to the EU would increase by a total of 21 billion euros by 2027.
Ukraine support’s share of the new funds would be 17 billion. Along with Ukraine, budget funds are allocated to, among other things, the management of internal migration.
With the decision, Finland’s annual contribution will increase by 85 million euros. The share of Ukrainian support in the amount is 70 million.
Finland’s goal in the negotiations was to limit new contributions other than those related to Ukraine. According to Orpo, this has been successful.
Hungary wants frozen aid
Hungary has linked the decisions made on supporting Ukraine to the EU subsidies frozen from it.
Hungary’s subsidies have been frozen due to violations related to the principles of the rule of law.
Orpo knocks out trading with the principles of the rule of law.
– Our rule of law is not negotiable in this matter. Yes, those solutions have to be found in another way, says Orpo.