Orban v EU: Hungary PM blocks Ukraine aid, threatens to halt accession

The current geopolitical landscape in Europe is marked by a complex interplay between political maneuvering and financial aid, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the center of these developments.

Orban, who has close ties with Russia, has taken a firm stance against initiating European Union membership discussions for Ukraine and is also blocking a crucial EU aid package worth €50 billion ($54.94 billion) for the war torn country. 

The situation is critical as the United States has deferred a substantial $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, and the country's military efforts against Russia have only achieved limited success this year.

READ MORE

Economic woes overshadow Hungary's Christmas markets

Polish lorry drivers continue Ukraine border blockade

Scientists develop wearable robotic arm controlled by breathing

At a summit in Brussels, the European Union's 26 other national leaders took the historic step of agreeing to start accession negotiations with Ukraine, bypassing Orban's grievances by getting him to leave the room.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz played a key role in getting Orban to leave the room to clear the way for a decision, diplomats and officials said.

Orban pointed out that Ukraine has yet to meet three of the seven conditions set by the European Commission for beginning membership talks.

In an effort to resolve this impasse, European leaders are actively engaging in diplomatic efforts with Orban, including his recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and a subsequent breakfast meeting with Chancellor Scholz, who urged the Hungarian leader to lift his veto and facilitate Ukraine's EU accession process.

Member states could also provide aid individually or strike separate deals.

The context of this diplomatic tussle also includes Hungary's financial interactions with the EU. 

Ahead of the summit, Hungary was granted €10 billion ($10.96 billion) in EU cohesion funds, a sum that represents only a fraction of the amount originally withheld due to concerns over rule-of-law and corruption issues.

Orban's earlier insistence on binding his support for the EU's €50 billion ($54.8 billion) aid package for Ukraine to the release of these funds has sparked controversy.

The European Commission said it released these funds after Hungary's introduction of new laws aimed at boosting judicial independence.

The Commission insisted there was no quid-pro-quo agreement with Hungary.

However, to access the remaining frozen funds, Hungary still needs to implement further reforms, particularly to counter corruption and ensure protection of LGBTQ rights.

Orban, who has a history of banking on clashes with other EU leaders for electoral benefit at home, told state radio that he blocked the aid package to Ukraine - part of a broader multi-year budget plan - to make sure Hungary gets the funds it wants from the EU budget.

"It is a great opportunity for Hungary to make it clear that it must get what it is entitled to. Not half of it, or one-fourth," he said.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday