Dispute over Ukraine aid: Orban plays tough ahead of EU summit
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen initially wanted to meet with Orban as a foursome to seek a solution, as the Council announced in Brussels. Decisions in favor of Ukraine require unanimity, meaning Orban has a veto.
The planned 50 billion euros over the next four years are intended to protect Ukraine from economic collapse. The EU also wants to open accession talks with Ukraine and its neighbor Moldova, and Georgia is to become a candidate country.
Shortly before the start of the summit, von der Leyen's EU Commission released ten billion euros for Hungary, which had previously been frozen in the dispute over rule of law violations. Brussels justified this with a judicial reform in Hungary, which came into force on Wednesday.
Von der Leyen was therefore sharply criticized. She had paid a gigantic "bribe" to persuade Orban to give in, European parliamentarians were outraged. They continue to see serious judicial shortcomings in Hungary. Orban emphasized that there was no connection with the Ukraine issues.
At the two-day summit, the EU also wants to find a solution to the deadlocked dispute over additional billions for migration and future technologies. Scholz had previously made it clear that, due to the budget shortfalls in Germany and other countries, he was counting on the redistribution of funds already committed in the EU budget framework until 2027. Another topic is the Middle East war.
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- The dispute over Ukraine aid has placed EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a difficult position before the upcoming EU summit.
- Orban's stance on Ukraine aid has caused a rift within the EU, potentially hampering the EU Commission's efforts to provide substantial aid to Ukraine.
- The EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, is urging EU members, including Hungary's Orban, to support the relief fund for Ukraine to ward off economic collapse.
- Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz have expressed their concern about Ukraine's situation before the EU summit, with a focus on securing financial aid and potentially opening accession talks.
- The EU Commission's plan to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros in aid over four years is jeopardized by Hungary's veto power, as Orban continues to oppose the proposal.
- Von der Leyen's decision to release 10 billion euros in aid to Hungary before the EU summit has stirred controversy, leading to accusations of a "bribe" to secure Orban's support on Ukraine aid.
- The EU members will convene at the EU summit to discuss the Ukrainian aid issue and other pressing matters, including the deadlock over additional finance for migration and future technologies.
- Orban's stance on Ukraine aid has put him at odds with many EU leaders, raising tensions ahead of the summit while also affecting the EU's mission to support Ukraine and improve its relations with its eastern neighbors.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for the redistribution of funds previously committed in the EU budget framework to address budget shortfalls in Europe, which would affect the EU's ability to provide Ukraine with reliable financial aid.
- The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has faced criticism from several EU leaders, including Scholz, regarding its record on rule of law and human rights violations, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing Ukraine aid dispute at the EU summit.
Source: www.stern.de
