Hungary Blocks $54 Billion Aid Deal , As EU Opens Door to Membership Talks.
On Dec. 14, EU leaders convened in Brussels to authorize
$54 billion in aid for Ukraine, but it was not approved
because of Hungary, the only member state to object. .
We still have some time, Ukraine is not
out of money in the next few weeks. I am
fairly confident we can get a deal early
next year. We are thinking of late January, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, via statement.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has
close ties with Russia, 'The Hill' reports.
In October, he had a controversial in-person
meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Prior to the aid deal being blocked, the EU
officially opened accession talks with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
called the development a "victory.".
This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory
for all of Europe. A victory that
motivates, inspires and strengthens, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, via X.
However, Orbán also objected to beginning
accession talks with Ukraine, reportedly trying for
hours to get other EU members to vote against it.
However, Orbán also objected to beginning
accession talks with Ukraine, reportedly trying for
hours to get other EU members to vote against it.
Later, on Hungarian state radio, Orbán said
Hungary could still stop the process if it
wanted to, CBS News reports. .
Later, on Hungarian state radio, Orbán said
Hungary could still stop the process if it
wanted to, CBS News reports.