Hungary blocks €50bn package for Ukraine

Hungary has blocked a €50 billion macro-financial aid package from the European Union for Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote about this on the social network X.

It happened after the European Council decided to start negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU. At the time of the decision, Orbán was absent in the meeting room. 

"Summary of the nightshift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine, veto for the MFF review," the Hungarian prime minister wrote. 

According to him, the European Commission will return to the issue of financing Ukraine next year "after proper preparation".

President of the European Council Charles Michel also said that negotiations on aid to Ukraine would continue next year. One of the backup plans is to send money to Ukraine outside the EU budget process.

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that the 26 EU members have agreed on a broad budget package, including aid to Ukraine, and that EU leaders may hold an additional summit, possibly at the end of January.