What is the significance of today’s decision on support packages for Ukraine?
A united EU has kept its promise. The EU is to be reckoned with when it comes to the West’s joint commitment to ensure that Ukraine survives as a nation.
It is a signal to the rest of the world and perhaps primarily to the United States, which sees the EU as a continued strong partner and player in world politics. The message to Russia should not be underestimated either. When Europe sends 50 billion euros over four years to Ukraine, it cannot be misunderstood; the belief in a continued independent Ukraine means not giving in to the aggressor.
The EU continues to stare Putin’s Russia in the eye.
What does it mean for Ukraine?
The sum is a large 50 billion euros over four years, corresponding to 550 billion Swedish kronor. More than two-thirds, 33 billion euros, are loans, the rest grants. It is a foundation plate to be able to pay the government’s expenses. Salaries for teachers, police officers and nurses, just to name a few items of expenditure.
For children being taught in the subway in Kharkiv to escape Russian bombs or for the farmer who has to search for mines in his fields, the message from the EU is that there is a strong and long-term ally.
For the state leadership, it is also proof that the relationship with the EU is lasting.
After all, Hungary was opposed to the support for a long time, but changed its mind. Why?
Hungary would have placed itself far outside the cooperation within the union it belongs to if it had not agreed. Originally, Hungary wanted a decision to be made every year on aid instead of allowing the aid to be long-term, in which case uncertainty could have arisen every year. Questions about hidden agendas in Hungarian actions had increased even more. Hungary was finally satisfied that there could be a review of the aid after a certain time. In that case, that review must be done by the Commission and is not about withdrawing money.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long said that he does not believe in the war. His attitude towards neighboring Ukraine is often negative. He wants to see peace negotiations, but other EU leaders do not understand how that should happen. Orbán wants a large negotiating space vis-à-vis the rest of the EU, which he gets by repeatedly negotiating on issues where everyone else agrees.
He is now known for his critical stance towards what he calls Brussels bureaucrats.
For some, he is thus a hero.