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

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