Hungary vetoes aid for Ukraine

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Hungary vetoed a 500-million-euro defence aid package intended for Ukraine, which was to be provided by EU Member States. The Ukranian leadership is outraged, though the Hungarian government has expressed its position on aids several months earlier.

According to Polish press reports, Hungary has blocked the seventh instalment of EU financial for arms purchases by Ukraine. The news was spotted by index.hu on the Polish portal RMF FM, which obtained the information from a high-ranking EU diplomat. The aid, worth half a billion euros, is part of the European Peace Facility. The facility has been used by EU member states to finance weapons and protective equipment for Ukraine since the start of the conflict. EU diplomats are of the opinion that the veto only serves Russia’s interests. However, the EU is reportedly considering alternative measures to bypass Hungary’s veto and proceed with the package.

This is not the first time

According to press information, this is not the first time that the Hungarian government has sought to interfere in EU decisions. Most recently, a few days ago, it was revealed that Hungary wanted to remove nine Russian oligarchs from the EU sanctions list.

According to Szabad Európa, the government wants to cross among others Alisher Usmanov, Pyotr Aven, and Viktor Rashnikov off the list. The government had already tried to remove these three names from the sanctions list in September, but without success.

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Read alsoAmerican TV: Will Hungary leave the European Union?

The Ukrainian leadership is outraged

Ukrainian military expert Mykula Siruk said in an interview with the Czech Aktualne that they are very upset with Hungary. They are furious that Hungary has blocked the EU financial aid to Ukraine. The report of the Czech newspaper was also spotted by index.hu.

However, as he explained, there was already a lot of resentment towards the Hungarian leadership for another reason, which had to do with the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. From time to time, disputes between the Hungarian and Ukrainian governments over the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine recur. Most recently, the removal of Hungarian national symbols in some Transcarpathian cities has led to significant press coverage in Hungary.

Yet, according to the Ukrainian expert, no one is taking away the rights of Hungarians living in Transcarpathia. “Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says he is concerned about the rights of the Hungarian minority living in Ukrainian Transcarpathia. But no one is taking away the rights of Hungarians. They are only being asked to learn Ukrainian, like Hungarians in Croatia learn Croatian or Hungarians in Slovakia learn Slovakian. There is now a lot of anger and resentment in Ukraine towards Hungary,” he explained.

For more information on what exactly happened in Transcarpathia and how the Hungarian foreign ministry state secretary reacted to the incidents concerning the Hungarian minority, see HERE.

The Hungarian leadership’s view on aid

Regarding Ukrainian aid, the Hungarian Prime Minister has already expressed his position earlier. On the one hand, the government was not in favour of supporting Ukraine with arms even at the beginning of the war. In their opinion, humanitarian aid should be provided instead of weapons.

On the other hand, the Prime Minister also has a particular view on the joint loans of EU Member States. He does not support this either because, although he believes that the Ukrainian people must receive help, Hungary is not willing to put the interests of others before its own.

Read alsoHungary considers acquiring HIMARS missile systems

Source: index.hu, rmf24.pl, szabadeuropa.hu, aktualne.cz

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3 Comments

Lorraine Joe Frank: says:

22/01/2023 at 17:43

Hungary continues to unashamedly DISPLAY – to the European Union, Great Britain & Ireland, the United States of America and the Global World of countries that embrace and are Governed under DEMOCRACY – they Hungary – led by the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban, growing rapidly RULING Hungary as a Dictator, aligned to Russia & China – don’t wish to be part of the Family of European Countries.
WHAT present and into the immediate and FUTURE of Hungary, the citizens already in there millions – living lifestyles that are under extreme SURVIVAL strain & stress – a country with an economy under extreme DURESS – that nears COLLAPSE – the FUTURE of Hungary is CONTENTIOUS – massively exposed to DOUBT.
Orban & his Government, we know on the Russian War on the Ukraine – the support “favours” friends in Moscow.
Are we nearing and this commentator believes we are, witnessing HUMONGOUS acts of RETALIATION on Hungary – that will have MASSIVE consequences impact heavenly somewhat mortally on Hungarians – especially those in MILLIONS – who literally are barely SURVIVING?
Propaganda driven, under somewhat a mystical spell – “feeding” off the Political ideology & philosophy of Victor Orban, as a country in millions, literally BLINDSIGHTED – similarities to Germany post 1930, which, as we know – history never lies, and what happened in Germany, under the leadership of the “little” Austrian Corporal.
Hungary – we feed off – follow like LEMMINGS – Orban & his Government/Fidesz Political Party, that are leading us into an ABYSS, that sees our FUTURE in a PERILOUS position.
Hungary – we our PROUD of our History – we are NOT a Tragedy.
Victor Orban is the TRAGEDY – that has placed Hungary in the CRIPPLED position as a country it finds it-self to-day.
Orban has lead us on this road of DESTRUCTION, that our FUTURE – standing alone, isolated from DEMOCRACY, intertwined in Communism – with our only (2) country friends – Russia & China – Dictatorships – and a Government ruled under Laws of Communism, outside the Family of European Country’s – membership of NATO – the immediate & long term FUTURE is of Grave doubt – uncertainty for our FUTURE.
mariavontheresa says:

22/01/2023 at 20:35

The veto was set up to protect EU residents from oppression and manipulation of the majority. EU interest rates are around 4.5%+. EU’s borrowing 500 millions of euros would put on undue burden on the population. Furthermore, the money would be used to support a dictatorship rather than a democracy. So far, Ukraine has not given an accounting to either EU or US for the weapons or money donated.
Tm says:

23/01/2023 at 11:58

US has given 100 Billion and no end in site. The US is responsible for the war along with the EU.