Von der Leyen confident all EU countries will agree on €50 billion in aid to Ukraine

This was reported by Reuters.

It is known that Hungary is against providing this aid package to Ukraine, so this increases the likelihood that the other 26 EU member states will provide funds under separate bilateral agreements with Kyiv.

At the same time, von der Leyen said in the European Parliament: "I am confident that we will find a solution by 27."

On 1 February, EU leaders will meet in Brussels to try to agree on more financial assistance to Ukraine. The European Commission has also proposed to revise the EU's joint budget for 2024-2027 and expand support for Kyiv, which would allow for more funding for migration and other priorities.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has refused to consider this option, leaving the rest of the EU to act without Budapest.

Reuters notes that the prospect of 26 EU states providing assistance to Ukraine through separate bilateral agreements is considered more complicated and expensive than using the EU budget. At the same time, it damages the unity of the bloc.

• On 15 December, Viktor Orban vetoed the EU's decision on a €50bn budgetary assistance programme for Ukraine.
• On 18 December, it became known that a special summit of the European Commission to discuss the allocation of €50 billion to Ukraine for 4 years would be held on 1 February 2024.
• On 9 January, it was reported that Hungary might lift its veto on the €50bn EU aid package to Ukraine, provided that the funding is reviewed annually.
• On 10 January, despite Hungary's opposition, Brussels voted to start negotiations with the European Parliament on providing Ukraine with €50 billion in macro-financial assistance for the next four years.
• On 16 January, Orban called for the financial aid to Ukraine to be separated from the EU budget.