Hungary is blocking EU aid to Ukraine

[Jaga]

Orban shows again his limited view of the world and love to Russia. At least they asked Orban to leave to vote on Ukraine membership to EU.

www.nytimes.com/2023/12/14/world/europe/eu-ukraine-hungary-aid.html

Hungary Blocks Ukraine Aid After E.U. Opens Door to Membership
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine welcomed the breakthrough in Ukraine’s official opening of accession negotiations to join the bloc. Securing more financial aid will have to wait.

Hungary on Friday blocked the European Union from approving a financial aid package for Ukraine, though E.U. leaders agreed to officially open accession negotiations for Ukraine to join the bloc, an important breakthrough for Kyiv as it tries to bolster support from its allies.

The decision about E.U. accession came at a crucial time for President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who had just returned from a bruising visit to the United States, where he pleaded for desperately needed money for his war effort that is being held up by political divisions in Congress.

Even though accession will take years, the announcement on Thursday was a symbolic win that was likely to rile President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who has decried Ukraine’s European ambitions as a form of aggression.

“This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens,” Mr. Zelensky said on X in response to the news.



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[Jaga]

Here is how EU sidestepped Hungary:

www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/14/eu-sidestep-viktor-orban-to-open-membership-talks-with-ukraine

The EU has decided to open membership negotiations with Ukraine, in an unexpected move that will be a critical boost to Volodymyr Zelenskiy and deal a blow to Vladimir Putin.

The announcement, made on Thursday after eight hours of tense negotiations in Brussels, came despite the opposition of Hungary, whose prime minister, Viktor Orbán, had for weeks said it would veto any opening of accession talks.

In the end, diplomats said, Orbán left the room when the key decision – which had to be unanimous – was made by leaders of the other 26 member states. Even for a city in which the art of deal-making is well honed, it was a highly unusual manoeuvre.

Sources said the decision of Orbán not to be in the room was agreed beforehand: “He knew that 26 member states were strongly in favour. Of course it’s legal.”

Moments after the decision was announced, Zelenskiy said: “This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens.”

On X, the Ukrainian president added: “History is made by those who don’t get tired of fighting for freedom.”