Viktor Orban and EU leaders to face off over Ukraine aid at crucial summit
European leaders are meeting in Brussels on Thursday, aiming to resolve a deadlock surrounding financial assistance for Ukraine. Last December, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed a €50bn ( £43bn) aid package for Kyiv. Speculations suggest his move was influenced by the EU’s retention of €20bn funds for Hungary, citing concerns about human rights and corruption.
Recent rumours hint at potential punitive measures by the EU, as leaders express impatience with Hungary’s position hindering vital funding to Ukraine ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion. In the previous EU summit in December, Orban reluctantly permitted Ukraine to attain EU candidate country status.
Notably, Orban, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin within the EU, has consistently refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and staunchly opposed EU sanctions on Russian oil and gas.
