Ukraine takes a hit after EU member blocks billions in foreign aid

Kiev was dealt a blow on Friday after an EU member single-handedly blocked billions in aid to Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shut out the other 26 EU members and voted against a $50 billion aid package for Ukraine at the European Council conference in Belgium on Friday. seconds to Reuters. Orban too he hinted could block attempts to bring Ukraine into the EU as a member after the other members voted unanimously to start negotiation talks on Thursday.

“Summary of the night shift: veto additional money in Ukraine, veto for the revision of the MFF”, Orban said Thursday. “We will return to the subject next year at [European Council] after proper preparation.”

#Ukraine it is not ready to be a member of the EU. Fortunately, we will have many opportunities to correct the decision made yesterday. pic.twitter.com/OLmK25DeQY

— Viktor Orban (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 15, 2023

EU leaders said they would resume renegotiation efforts next year and possibly find other solutions to support Kiev. seconds to Reuters. The US is also struggling to get aid to Ukraine; Biden is asking Congress to fund a $60 billion package, but has so far been unsuccessful in getting it as lawmakers are crashing on whether to tie Ukrainian aid to a border security deal.

Orban told Hungarian state radio on Friday that he spent eight hours trying to prevent other EU members from opening membership talks with Ukraine. seconds on BBC News. Orban left the European Council chambers when the issue was discussed and before voting began on Thursday, allowing EU members to vote overwhelmingly to open talks.

“Hungary does not want to share this bad decision,” Orban said said Thursday. “And for that reason, Hungary did not participate in the decision today.”

The Kremlin said Ukraine's EU membership could destabilize the region in response to the talks.

“It is clear that this is an absolutely politicized decision, the EU's desire to demonstrate its support for these countries,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, according to Reuters. “But these new members could destabilize the EU, and because we live on the same continent as the EU, of course we're watching that closely.”

EU leaders meet again on Friday to discuss a wide range of issues, including the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, seconds to Reuters.

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