Hungary sets condition for unlocking EUR 50B for Ukraine - Politico

Hungary has signaled that it may lift its veto over EU aid package worth EUR 50 billion to Ukraine, provided that the funding is reviewed annually.

That’s according to Politico, Ukrinform reports.

Budapest indicated that it might lift its veto provided that the European Council unanimously approves the funding on a yearly basis, according to three EU diplomats.

This would give Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán the power to block EU funding to Ukraine every year — or gain concessions from Brussels for withholding his veto, the publication says.

It is noted that several EU diplomats remain skeptical, pointing out that a year-on-year solution would fail to offer predictability to Ukraine.

“MFF (the EU’s seven-year budget) is a multiannual framework, we can not do it on a year-to-year basis,” said an EU diplomat.

The EU’s funding to Ukraine will be discussed at a meeting of EU ambassadors slated for Wednesday.

As reported by Ukrinform, the European Union is preparing a reserve facility to provide Ukraine with up to EUR 20 billion in assistance, which would allow to bypass Hungary's veto.

Photo: hungarytoday.hu