Orban names condition under which he is ready to unblock €50 billion for Ukraine

He said this in an interview with the French newspaper Le Point, European Pravda reports.

Budapest has proposed a compromise agreement under which funding will be allocated to Ukraine on the condition that "you guarantee that every year we will decide whether we will continue to provide this money or not."

Orban noted that this annual approval should also be made unanimously by all EU members.

"Unfortunately, this position is understood or interpreted by some countries as a means of annual blackmail... Our position is that it is not about blackmailing the veto, but about restoring and preserving the unity of the European Union," the Hungarian prime minister said.

EUR 50 billion for Ukraine: what is known

On December 15, 2023, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed the EU's decision on a €50 billion budget assistance program for Ukraine.

On December 18, it was announced that a special summit of the European Commission to discuss the allocation of €50 billion to Ukraine for 4 years would take place on February 1, 2024.

On January 10, despite Hungary's opposition, Brussels votes to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on providing Ukraine with €50 billion in macro-financial assistance over the next four years.

January 16 Orban calls for separating financial aid to Ukraine from the EU budget.

January 17 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expresses confidence that all EU member states will agree to provide assistance to Ukraine, and on January 26 Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that all 27 EU member states have agreed to provide €50 billion to Ukraine.