Orban, Fico oppose €50 billion aid package for Ukraine at EU leaders' summit - Politico

Politico reports.

EU leaders are discussing replenishing the bloc's joint budget to continue supporting Ukraine from 2024 and are trying to convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who oppose a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine.

Orban said that EU support was not effective, and Fico expressed concern about corruption in Ukraine. However, updating the EU budget requires the support of all 27 members of the bloc.

Brussels hopes to persuade Hungary to lift its veto on EU military aid, which has been delayed by a long-running dispute over the rule of law.

A decision on the bloc's budget update should be made by the end of the year, as the current EU funding for Ukraine is due to end in early 2024.

• On October 26, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he was ready to hold talks with Ukraine on lifting the veto on the EU's $500 million military aid.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he was proud of his contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he met in China this month.

• New Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico tells the European Commission that he will not provide military aid to Ukraine. The country will limit itself to humanitarian support.