Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has reached an agreement with fellow EU leaders on a €50 billion support package for Ukraine, marking a significant turnaround after his previous threat to block the funds. The deal was finalized during a summit in Brussels, where Orbán, who had been steadfast in his opposition since December, yielded to pressure following intensive meetings with key leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU Commission and Council Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel.
Sources suggest that Orbán, having explored various options, ultimately conceded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy applauded the decision, emphasizing the strong unity within the EU. The four-year package aims to support Ukraine's economy, providing funds for hospitals, schools, civil servants' wages, and pensions.
The unexpected turn of events surprised attendees at the emergency summit, convened after Orbán's initial block in December. The draft conclusions were amended with two additional paragraphs, but insiders note that neither constituted a victory for Orbán. One paragraph calls for a review of the budgetary framework by the European Commission in two years, allowing for a debate if necessary.
Announcing the agreement, Charles Michel tweeted about the EU's unity and commitment to supporting Ukraine. Despite frustrations expressed by European leaders on Orbán's stance earlier in the summit, the deal was ultimately secured.
The summit also addressed issues related to the Middle East and allocated additional military funds for Ukraine, reinforcing the broader scope of discussions among EU leaders.