Orbán writes letter to European Council Head with demands concerning support for Ukraine
Pravda Ukraine
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán threatens to block all aid from the European Union for Ukraine, as well as Ukraine’s future EU accession, if the EU leaders do not agree to reconsider their whole strategy of support for Kyiv.
Source: the letter studied by the Politico media outlet, as reported by European Pravda
Details: In a letter addressed to Charles Michel, the Head of the European Council, Orbán claims that no decisions concerning financing Ukraine, starting the EU accession talks or further sanctions against Russia can be implemented until this “strategic discussion”, for which the EU leaders would gather in Brussels in the middle of December, is held. The letter is undated but has the stamp of his office.
Quote: “The European Council should take stock of the implementation and effectiveness of our current policies towards Ukraine including various assistance programs.”
He also asks why Europe has to continue supporting Ukraine in times when the US, which has supplied Kyiv with the largest part of the military aid, may be unable to continue the financing due to a political deadlock over future support.
“The European Council must have a frank and open discussion on the feasibility of the EU’s strategic objectives in Ukraine,” the letter states.
“Do we still regard these objectives realistically attainable? Is this strategy sustainable without robust support from the United States? Can we take continuing support from the United States for granted? How do we conceive the security architecture of Europe after the war,” it goes on.
It adds that “the European Council is not in a position to make key decisions on the proposed security guarantees or additional financial support for Ukraine, endorse further strengthening of the EU sanctions regime or agree on the future of the enlargement process unless a consensus on our future strategy towards Ukraine is found.”
One of the EU diplomats who preferred to remain anonymous stated that Orbán had “mined” the whole decision-making process of the EU about Ukraine in order to put pressure on the European Commission with the goal of allocating €13 billion to Hungary.
The diplomat added that, while in other cases Budapest abstained during key voting and let the EU impose sanctions against Russia, this time “I don’t see it happening”.
“It’s not a matter of neutrality for Hungary,” said the envoy. “It’s about leverage.”
Since Hungary is increasing tension and threatens to sabotage the EU leaders’ summit in December, some countries are already contemplating ways to work around Budapest and keep aid flowing to Kyiv.
Background: Viktor Orbán, during the meeting of his party Fidesz on 18 November, repeated that he considers the start of negotiations concerning Ukraine’s EU accession an error, as Ukraine is so far not ready for it.
The Hungarian government also announced “consultations” with the population, the main question of which would be the support for Ukraine’s EU membership.
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