EU summit agrees 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine
EU member states on Thursday agreed on an additional aid package totaling 50 billion euros ($54 billion) for Ukraine, European Council President Charles Michel said on social media.
“All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget,” he said. “This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for #Ukraine. EU is taking leadership & responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is at stake.”
EU leaders have been struggling to reach a consensus over the support package, amid opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who vetoed the aid deal in December. Hungary wants to have an annual review that would allow it a right to veto the disbursements each year, Reuters has reported.
— Ruxandra Iordache
Polish PM says there is no ‘Plan B’ on EU aid for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk take part in a meeting with Ukrainian students in Kyiv on January 22, 2024. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Sergei Supinsky | Afp | Getty Images
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday there was no “Plan B” on European Union aid for Ukraine and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who is stalling it must decide if Hungary is “part of our community”.
“We need to play hard and play fair, but there is no room for compromise. There is no middle way – either you are on the Ukrainian side or on the Russian side,” Tusk said ahead of a summit of leaders of the 27 EU member countries.
Orban is the only one of the 27 to have voiced disapproval of an EU aid package and to request a yearly vote on the long-term aid.
Thursday summit’s is seen as a last opportunity to reach agreement on a four-year plan for 50 billion euros ($53.93 billion) of economic aid for Ukraine, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since 2022.
Hungary, which cultivates close ties with…
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