Surprisingly, Hungary is not the only member blocking a €20 billion EU military aid package aimed at Ukraine’s security. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has also spoken out against additional aid. Meanwhile, some diplomats in the alliance admit that “not everyone is unhappy about the delay.”
Paris is said to have not voiced any objections but is also “not dissatisfied” with the slow progress of the aid package.
European Union (EU) leaders will gather in Brussels today (6 March) for a special emergency summit convened by the European Council to discuss how the EU can provide further support to Ukraine, as well as how to strengthen European defence.
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| Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico. (Source: EC) |
Failed to convince Prime Minister Orbán
Ahead of this important meeting, two members, Hungary and Slovakia, have been open about their opposition to continuing with new military aid packages for Ukraine, arguing that this will only prolong the conflict with unnecessary bloodshed, rather than promoting an immediate ceasefire.
However, insider sources reveal that some other member states are not so supportive of this latest aid package at a time when they are shifting their focus to rearmament (in addition to the €60 billion the EU has already allocated to Ukraine this year). Rather than speaking out publicly or seeking to challenge the joint plan like Hungary, they have simply left Budapest and Bratislava to their own devices.
International observers commented that, with leading members like Hungary, this time the situation is similar to many previous times, including blocking a comprehensive ban on Russian fossil fuels and harsh sanctions.
However, despite opposition from some members, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to find new ways to force member states to join in. One idea floated by an EU diplomat involves requiring 20% of new defense loans to be allocated to additional military aid to Kiev, rather than providing direct financial support.
Along with Slovakia, Hungary - a pro-Russian EU member - has recently erected another barrier in Europe's efforts to support Ukraine, Politico reported, citing a draft conclusion of the European Council.
EU ambassadors have reportedly reviewed the latest draft update, proposed by European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, but a key element missing is a direct reference to new military funding for Ukraine. This “gap” highlights Budapest’s continued resistance, despite its continued support for increased EU defence.
Hungary’s opposition to new security aid to Ukraine has been simmering for some time, even before the diplomatic row erupted in Washington, at a meeting between US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over military aid and a mineral extraction deal.
In a letter obtained by Politico , European Council President António Costa appeared to admit that his efforts to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had failed.
“I note that there are differences regarding the path to peace and in particular the ‘peace through strength’ approach,” Costa wrote to Mr Orbán on March 3. Mr Costa pointed to a “broad agreement” on the need for Europe to be “more sovereign, more capable and better equipped” to deal with security threats.
So far, the EU has pledged 60 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine until 2025.
EU still 'confused' about money
In February, it was reported that European leaders were discussing an additional €20 billion aid package to bolster their support for Ukraine, especially as concerns grow about changes in US policy and warmer relations between Washington and Moscow. The proposed aid would include military equipment such as artillery shells and missiles, as well as financial support.
However, completing the aid package has proven difficult in practice. Spiegel reports that both the “big brothers” France and Italy are struggling with high national debt – so the ability to make further financial commitments is quite fragile.
Ukraine's European allies remain divided, with not only Hungary but several other members also slowing down the progress of the aid package, as the US announced it was suspending all military aid to Ukraine to help find a peaceful solution, according to a White House official.
Politico reported that supporters of increased aid to Ukraine have proposed removing Hungary’s veto power after the country formally used it on a 20 billion euro military aid package. It is understood that some members of the European Parliament who oppose Prime Minister Orbán are preparing to send EU leaders a nine-point plan calling for Hungary to be stripped of its voting rights after it repeatedly blocked joint decisions, especially regarding aid to Ukraine.
How — and whether — the aid package moves forward will depend on whether EU leaders can find a way around Mr Orbán’s veto.
However, calls to strip Hungary of its voting rights are not unprecedented. A similar proposal emerged in July 2024, following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s “peace mission” diplomatic visit to Russia and China.
The recent surge in nationalist victories across Central Europe has challenged the unity of the EU and its support for Ukraine. Leaders in Slovakia, Austria, Croatia and Hungary are said to be aligning themselves with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pro-Moscow stance, reflecting growing public frustration with the economic pressures of the ongoing conflict in the Eastern European country.
Ahead of the special emergency summit, nationalist tendencies still "cast a shadow", posing significant challenges to EU cohesion, especially in maintaining a unified stance on supporting Ukraine in the context of the ongoing fierce military conflict.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khong-chi-mot-thanh-vien-chau-au-than-nga-phan-doi-vien-tro-ukraine-noi-bo-eu-roi-boi-306440.html
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