Hungary blocks support decisions for Ukraine at the summit of EU leaders in Brussels. According to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Finland does not accept blackmail through joint decisions.
BRUSSELS The Prime Minister of Hungary who arrived at the European Council meeting Viktor Orbán dashed Ukraine’s hopes of starting EU membership negotiations. According to Orbán, Ukraine does not yet meet the conditions for starting negotiations.
– We have set seven preconditions for Ukraine to start negotiations. The Commission itself has stated that three of the conditions are not met. That’s why I see no reason to start negotiations, Orbán said.
With his comment, Orbán referred to the commission’s enlargement report issued last month, according to which Ukraine has not yet implemented all the reforms required by the commission.
However, according to the Commission’s assessment, Ukraine has made enough progress for the actual membership negotiations to begin. A large majority of other EU countries also share the same position.
Orbán denies the trade
Hungary has been persuaded to join the EU’s common front in support of Ukraine under the summit, which is considered important.
Along with membership negotiations, the EU leaders are to decide on a 50 billion euro economic support package for Ukraine. Hungary is struggling in this regard as well.
– In the short term, Ukraine’s money has been taken into account in the EU budget. If we want to increase funding, this must be done outside the budget, says Orbán.
Orbán did not take a position on whether Hungary would participate in the extra-budgetary support instrument. He also denied allegations of linking Ukraine’s support decisions to funding disputes between Hungary and the EU.
– We are not here to do business. We represent our own starting points and principles, Orbán said.
Decisions require consensus
Hungary’s role is highlighted in budget and enlargement decisions that require unanimity. Without Hungary’s approval, the EU’s long-term actions in favor of Ukraine threaten to collapse.
It is feared that the postponement of the decisions will send a bad message about the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
– We definitely have to come to some sort of agreement, Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas said as he arrived at the meeting.
Chancellor of Germany By Olaf Scholz according to that, it is necessary to be able to agree on financial support so that Ukraine can defend itself against Russian aggression in the future as well.
– The Russian president must know that he cannot count on the European Union and its member states to reduce their support for Ukraine, Scholz said.
Orphan knocks out blackmail
The general assessment in Brussels is that the background of Hungary’s braking is the desire to release EU funds frozen by the EU. The pot in question is a total of more than 30 billion euros.
Yesterday, the EU Commission decided to release 10.2 billion euros from Hungary’s frozen subsidies. Even after this, 21 billion euros have been frozen from Hungary.
Prime minister Petteri Orpo (co.) knocks out extortion with the EU’s joint decisions.
– I do not accept any kind of blackmail from anyone in these questions. We have to find rational solutions, Orpo said.
The meeting of the European Council is expected to be exceptionally difficult. In addition to enlargement and Ukraine’s financial support instrument, the meeting will discuss the situation in the Middle East and immigration.
The situation on Finland’s eastern border will also be on the agenda of the meeting. EU leaders are expected to condemn the hybrid operations of third countries and the instrumentalization of immigrants.
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