By Phaidra Chrysostali,
The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, vetoed last week the immense European Union aid package for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The aid package promised 54.4 billion dollars over four years, to help Ukraine with its battle with Russia, especially because it needs to prepare for another harsh winter offensive.
The EU’s other 26 member states were positive and agreed that Ukraine would not be left without the EU’s financial support. In addition, the EU leaders decided to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia. This decision was crucially condemned by President Orban – who maintains close ties with Russia – and he claimed that he had fought for eight hours to stop his EU partners but failed to convince them.
There is no doubt that Orban uses its veto power to threaten the European Union since it withholds the funds of billions of euros from Hungary due to violation of human rights, the awarding of public contracts, and the state of academic freedom in the country. The EU had to cave to Hungary’s blackmail, due to the urgency of the matter with Ukraine, and restored Budapest’s access to 11 billion dollars after ruling that Hungary had made the minimum effort to reform its judiciary. But it was not enough for Orban to finally agree on the financial support for Ukraine and demanded the remaining frozen funds, declaring that the EU must give Hungary what it is entitled to.
The European Union will not give up on aiding Ukraine and there are other ways to achieve it. The European Commission could coordinate the collection of grants or each EU nation could supply Kyiv with loans. This will take more time and be much more difficult for the EU members and it will be the last resort if they don’t manage to make Hungary change its mind.
It is important also to mention that based on Article 7 of the treaty on the European Union, the member states have the possibility of suspending European Union (EU) membership rights (such as voting rights in the Council of the European Union) if a country seriously and persistently breaches the principles on which the EU is founded as defined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities). Nevertheless, that country’s membership obligations remain binding. Therefore, the EU member states could also remove the right to vote from Hungary since it has continuously breached the EU principles and is blocking the financial aid package for a country that has suffered enough from Russia’s cruelties.
Delay in financial aid for Ukraine will make the current situation much worse both for the citizens, especially for the doctors and the teachers who are being paid by the government and the soldiers who are fighting to save their country from the Russian atrocities. Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russia seems to be failing, particularly since President Zelensky has not made major gains from the US and the 60 billion dollar package for Kyiv has not been secured through the US Congress. All of the above, have generated fear among the citizens that Russia may soon outgun them and will be left in mortal danger without the support of the Western powers.
In conclusion, Hungary’s controversial decision to veto Ukraine’s financial aid package has created confusion among the EU members regarding Orban’s intentions and to what extent he is going to block the EU’s support for Ukraine. Nevertheless, his decisions do not go unnoticed and the rest of the EU members are willing to find other solutions that will guarantee Ukraine the support needed.
References
- Camut, Nicolas. “Orbán Aide: Hungary Could Lift Ukraine Funds Veto If EU Unblocks All Frozen Cash.” POLITICO, 12 Dec. 2023, www.politico.eu/article/hungary-ukraine-aid-veto-eu-accession-unblock-frozen-fund-balasz-orban/. Accessed 26 Dec. 2023.
- “Hungary Blocks 50 Billion Euros in EU Aid for Ukraine Following Approval of Membership Talks.” France 24, 15 Dec. 2023, www.france24.com/en/europe/20231215-hungary-s-orban-blocks-eu-aid-for-ukraine-following-membership-discussions. Accessed 26 Dec. 2023.
- Lukiv, Jaroslav, and Jessica Parker. “Hungary Blocks €50bn of EU Funding for Ukraine.” Www.bbc.com, 15 Dec. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67724357.
- O’Carroll, Lisa. “Hungary Blocks €50bn in EU Aid for Ukraine Hours after Membership Talks Approved.” The Guardian, 15 Dec. 2023, www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/15/hungary-blocks-50bn-in-eu-aid-for-ukraine-hours-after-membership-talks-were-approved.
