Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has vetoed a decision regarding a long-term budget assistance program for Ukraine worth 50 billion euros. Orban made this announcement after the first day of the EU summit in Brussels, as reported by TASS.
In a post on his social media account X (formerly Twitter), Orban wrote: “As a result of the overnight session: a veto on additional funds for Ukraine, a veto on the review of the multiannual budget. We will return to this issue at next year’s EU summit after appropriate preparation.”
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed confidence that EU countries would be able to agree on providing assistance to Ukraine next year. He stated, “We have had intensive negotiations and have come to the conclusion that it is best to give this issue a little more time. I truly believe that next year everything will work out.”
One of the key topics of the summit was a 50 billion euro assistance program for Ukraine until the end of 2027. The European Commission promises to provide Kiev with 33 billion euros in loans and 17 billion euros in grants. This program is intended to replenish the budget of Kiev and cover current expenses such as salaries for civil servants and military personnel, pension payments, and compensations for families of Ukrainian soldiers. If the program is approved, Kiev will receive approximately 1.03 billion euros per month, which is one and a half times less than the 1.5 billion euros that the EU allocated for budgetary needs monthly in 2023.
The problem lies in the fact that EU budgets are adopted for seven years, and all available funds in the current EU budget plan for the period 2021-2027, which could have been reallocated to support Ukraine, have already been fully utilized in 2022-2023. In order to finance the new 50 billion euros for the remaining period of seven years, the European Commission has called on EU countries to make additional contributions to the budget. However, this means that countries must use their own state funds, that is, direct revenues from their taxpayers, which does not generate enthusiasm among European capitals, according to TASS.
It was reported earlier that Ukraine may not receive the promised F-16 aircraft.
Previously, an advisor to Biden revealed when the US will stop supplying weapons to Ukraine.
