Fifty billion euros. That is the amount a large majority of the EU’s heads of state and government will transfer to Ukraine over the EU budget for the next four years. But one man refuses: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The contribution is crucial for Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. It is no less important that the US Congress has still not reached an agreement on US monetary support. At a dramatic EU summit before Christmas, EU leaders prevented Hungarian blocking of another crucial issue: Ukraine’s future EU membership. MAIN PERSON: Viktor Orban often succeeds in becoming the number one topic of conversation at international meetings. Photo: AP With the help of some creative voting techniques, the union was thus able to show important support to a country that has always seen closer association with the EU as a crucial part of its liberation from Russian power and influence. The money transfer, however, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban made sure to block at the same meeting. Extraordinary challenges Today’s extraordinary summit has been drummed together to resolve this tangle. This time it seems that Orban’s opponents will put hard against hard. Earlier this week, the Financial Times newspaper reported on a secret EU plan to sabotage Hungary’s economy if it continues to block Ukraine aid. According to the document the newspaper had gained access to, the EU’s other leaders were to stop all future EU support to Hungary, if the country’s controversial prime minister did not change his view. COLD FRONT: Emmanuel Macron held the umbrella for Viktor Orban when they met in Paris before Christmas, but the French president is among those who are starting to lose patience. Photo: AFP Such a maneuver could weaken the Hungarian currency, undermine the confidence of foreign investors and potentially destroy the country’s economy. – The EU is engaging in political blackmail, Hungary’s apparently angry EU minister wrote on X immediately after the revelation. It seemed dramatic. Later, however, it emerged that the “plan”, according to some, was primarily a description of the weaknesses of the Hungarian economy, and not a concrete plan of attack from the EU’s side. Not in kindergarten In an interview with the French news magazine Le Point on Tuesday this week, Viktor Orban was nevertheless clear that he thought there was actually an EU plan to paralyze Hungary: “We all have some experience with international politics. We are not in kindergarten. If the Financial Times publishes a document detailing a plan to financially block Hungary and blackmail us, we can be sure that it exists,” the Hungarian Prime Minister stated. Although the European Commission is among those who claim they have no knowledge of this plan, there is little doubt that patience is running out in many EU capitals. For how long can one country’s leader be allowed to paralyze the EU’s ability to act in the face of Putin’s Russia? IN BRUSSELS: Some were less enthusiastic than others when Volodymyr Zelenskyj visited Brussels last year. Photo: AFP Hungary has recently opened up to a compromise, where one can participate in a support package, on the condition that the country can later change its mind. Not a four-year plan, but appropriations that must be re-approved every year. In several European countries it is seen as a bad solution. The fear is that Orban is waiting for more favorable election results, seen from his eyes. The European Parliament elections in the spring may give increased support to parties that are skeptical of supporting Ukraine, such as Germany’s AFD. Hungary’s leader thinks he has time on his side. Also in view of the US presidential election, where Donald Trump has long appeared to be a big supporter of Viktor Orban. It is all the more important for today’s EU leaders to get the money through long-term support for Ukraine now. – A dangerous game “Hungary can gamble on Putin and Trump. But it is a dangerous game,” says an anonymous European diplomat to the French newspaper Le Monde in an interview earlier this week. Because in the French presidential palace, they believe the time has come for “radical measures” to destroy Orban’s bet. BEGINNING TO GET BORED: French President Emmanuel Macron believes the time has come for stronger lye in the face of Viktor Orban’s training zeal. Photo: AFP A truly radical measure that has been on the air for several years is about the possibility of depriving Hungary of its right to vote in the EU. However, it requires unanimity among all the other member states. Until last year, that was seen as an impossibility, as the then government of Poland often acted as Hungary’s guarantor and supporter. Now Slovakia’s government may be able to play the same role. After coming out strongly against further support for Ukraine in the election campaign, the country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has, however, seemed more inclined to stick to the EU majority’s line on the Ukraine issue nonetheless. Various forms of financial punishment for walking alone are more likely. The underlying concern is that Viktor Orban acts as a kind of agent for Vladimir Putin, inside the European community. He himself has said that he is “proud” of his close ties to Putin. He claims it is about a willingness to dialogue, and a path to future peace. – It is very difficult to be alone in this family, Orban said in the Le Point interview this week. How difficult it will be going forward, we can get a first answer to tonight.
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The EU increases the pressure on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
