EU reaches 50 billion euro aid deal for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the deal in a video address (Representative)

Brussels, Belgium:

In a stunning move, EU leaders overcame Hungary’s prime minister’s veto and struck a deal with Viktor Orban to provide 50 billion euros in financial aid to Ukraine at a key summit in Brussels on Thursday.

The EU deal is a huge boost for Kyiv as the war with Russia enters its third year amid doubts about the future support of Ukraine’s other main ally, the United States.

“All 27 leaders agreed on an additional $50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget,” the summit’s president, European Council President Charles Michel, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“This locks in stable, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine.”

Orban abruptly changed his tune on Kyiv’s crucial four-year funding plan after EU leaders raised the prospect of a review of spending within two years – if member states unanimously demand it.

In a video address to EU leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the deal as “a clear signal that Ukraine will bear it and Europe will bear it.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed “a great day for Europe.”

The money will plug holes in Ukraine’s government budget, allowing it to pay wages and services as its poorly armed soldiers struggle to hold off Moscow’s forces.

Orban – Russia’s closest ally in the EU – blocked an aid deal in December, sparking anger among the bloc’s 26 counterparts.

Thursday’s talks were expected to feature another protracted political wrangling, but Orban quickly announced a deal after meeting first with the leaders of Germany, France, Italy and EU institutions.

“He made some concessions,” one European diplomat said. “He saw people getting more and more irritated and there was a line that couldn’t be crossed.”

The Hungarian nationalist is accused of holding Ukraine’s future hostage to blackmail Brussels into releasing billions of euros in frozen EU funds for Budapest.

The diplomat said that while no direct quid pro quo was offered, Orban did win assurances that Brussels would deal fairly with the 20 billion euros worth of funds frozen in Budapest.

“What Orban wants is not to be pushed into a corner,” said another European diplomat. “This is a matter of mutual benefit. This is not force or threats. Everyone has shown a constructive attitude.”

“Orban fatigue”

Several EU leaders have rallied towards Orban, once again disrupting the EU.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of growing “Orban fatigue” in Brussels, saying it was time for the Hungarian leader to “decide whether he is part of our community”.

Other leaders have said they would join forces to form a 26-nation bloc to guarantee aid to the Ukrainian government if Orban does not give up his opposition.

But with Kyiv likely to face a budget shortfall by spring, that option will take more time.

The latest EU showdown comes against the backdrop of growing protests by Europe’s farmers, who blocked roads around the summit with 1,300 tractors, lit fires and toppled a city statue in a show of strength.

While the focus in the room was Orban, outside the nearby European Parliament, angry farmers burned tires and did their best to ensure their grievances were heard.

“We need to be able to discuss this topic in the council because their concerns are to a certain extent legitimate,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre De Croo said.

Once aid to Ukraine was agreed, leaders focused more on the future of EU military support for Kyiv.

There have been accusations that major EU countries such as France, Italy and Spain did not play a role in arming Ukraine.

Scholz, whose country is Ukraine’s largest European donor, called on other countries to provide military support and do more to help Kyiv.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)