EU 'can't afford' to back Ukraine, Orban claims
Hungary’s prime minister has stated that the EU lacks sufficient funds to support Ukraine while also enhancing its collective defense.. source:TROIB RTS
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Hungary has blocked the EU's new €30 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed his concerns about the EU's financial capacity to continue supporting Ukraine in an interview with Kossuth Radio on Thursday. He emphasized that the bloc's budget is already stretched thin with its planned initiatives, including additional support for Ukraine, financing its EU membership aspirations, and increasing European defense spending.
Orban’s remarks followed his veto of the proposed €30 billion military aid package for Ukraine during an emergency European Council meeting earlier in the day. Although the proposal received backing from the other 26 EU leaders, Orban contended that it would effectively permit the continuation of the conflict.
In his interview, Orban highlighted the escalating financial responsibilities the EU would face if it did not change its current approach. He stated that the bloc would need to cover the costs of funding Ukraine’s military, as “the Ukrainians don’t have a penny for that.” Moreover, he emphasized that Brussels would be required to cover the expenses of the Ukrainian government, including salaries and pensions, since “Ukraine, as a state, is not functioning.” Additionally, he mentioned the necessity for the bloc to fund Ukraine’s EU membership bid without any clear assessment of the potential costs. Lastly, he pointed out the EU's approval of the ReArm Europe initiative, which could demand up to €800 billion in new defense spending.
“If I add all this up, there isn’t that much money in the bloc. So this won’t work like that… I think the bottom line is that we can’t afford this,” Orban remarked, urging EU leaders to rethink their position on Ukraine.
The EU’s support package for Ukraine is expected to be discussed again at the next leaders’ summit later this month. However, Orban indicated that the proposal might still struggle to pass as more countries are beginning to recognize the lack of available funds.
These comments come amid increasing concern among EU leaders regarding the implications of US President Donald Trump’s recent policy changes concerning Ukraine. Reports indicate that the White House has put a freeze on new military aid to Ukraine, a shift Trump had been hinting at for weeks. He has also called on European countries to take on more responsibility for both Ukraine's war efforts and their own defense, reiterating his desire for the conflict to end soon so he can concentrate on domestic priorities.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed his concerns about the EU's financial capacity to continue supporting Ukraine in an interview with Kossuth Radio on Thursday. He emphasized that the bloc's budget is already stretched thin with its planned initiatives, including additional support for Ukraine, financing its EU membership aspirations, and increasing European defense spending.
Orban’s remarks followed his veto of the proposed €30 billion military aid package for Ukraine during an emergency European Council meeting earlier in the day. Although the proposal received backing from the other 26 EU leaders, Orban contended that it would effectively permit the continuation of the conflict.
In his interview, Orban highlighted the escalating financial responsibilities the EU would face if it did not change its current approach. He stated that the bloc would need to cover the costs of funding Ukraine’s military, as “the Ukrainians don’t have a penny for that.” Moreover, he emphasized that Brussels would be required to cover the expenses of the Ukrainian government, including salaries and pensions, since “Ukraine, as a state, is not functioning.” Additionally, he mentioned the necessity for the bloc to fund Ukraine’s EU membership bid without any clear assessment of the potential costs. Lastly, he pointed out the EU's approval of the ReArm Europe initiative, which could demand up to €800 billion in new defense spending.
“If I add all this up, there isn’t that much money in the bloc. So this won’t work like that… I think the bottom line is that we can’t afford this,” Orban remarked, urging EU leaders to rethink their position on Ukraine.
The EU’s support package for Ukraine is expected to be discussed again at the next leaders’ summit later this month. However, Orban indicated that the proposal might still struggle to pass as more countries are beginning to recognize the lack of available funds.
These comments come amid increasing concern among EU leaders regarding the implications of US President Donald Trump’s recent policy changes concerning Ukraine. Reports indicate that the White House has put a freeze on new military aid to Ukraine, a shift Trump had been hinting at for weeks. He has also called on European countries to take on more responsibility for both Ukraine's war efforts and their own defense, reiterating his desire for the conflict to end soon so he can concentrate on domestic priorities.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
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