EU might require member states to 'pay for Ukraine', says Orban
Brussels intends to require EU countries to provide financial support to Kiev in the event that US aid is reduced, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has cautioned. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban cautioned that Hungary is anticipated to contribute over $500 million annually if the United States reduces its aid to Ukraine. His comments were made during a meeting of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, as reported by the Magyar Nemzet news outlet.
Orban's warning comes in light of fears in Brussels that US President Donald Trump may start diminishing financial and military support for Ukraine. Recently, the Trump administration has urged Kiev to reimburse the US for aid given since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, while also advising European NATO allies that they should take on “the overwhelming share” of future assistance to Ukraine, as the US shifts its focus to domestic issues.
“The Americans are withdrawing from financing Ukraine, and Brussels will want to make Europeans, including us, Hungarians, pay for this,” Orban stated. He indicated that Brussels might move forward with this strategy if it endorses Ukraine’s EU membership application.
He further elaborated, “The proposal is already on the table that we, Hungarians, give Ukraine 200 billion forints [$520 million] a year.” Orban warned that if such a plan materializes, it would adversely affect Hungarian farmers through the loss of area-based subsidies that would instead be allocated to Ukraine. He emphasized that since no preconditions have been established for Ukraine’s EU accession, it should not be considered, vowing that Budapest will never consent to such an idea.
“We are the ones who rebel against the empire… so that they cannot force their will on us from Brussels,” he asserted.
The Hungarian prime minister has consistently clashed with Brussels over its stance on the Ukraine crisis, expressing opposition to the financial and military assistance provided to Kiev. He expressed support for US initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine, referencing recent bilateral talks between US and Russian officials in Riyadh. “Hungary, as before, supports the ceasefire and peace. Peace can only be good for us, energy prices will fall, trade will revive, and the economy will strengthen.”
In response to the potential reduction of US aid, reports suggest that the EU is working on a strategy to maintain support for Ukraine. According to the Polish Press Agency, EU lawmakers are considering establishing a new fund to raise money for military assistance to Ukraine. This fund would reportedly be financed partly by proceeds from Russian assets frozen within the EU and partly through voluntary contributions from EU member states, calibrated to their national income.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
Orban's warning comes in light of fears in Brussels that US President Donald Trump may start diminishing financial and military support for Ukraine. Recently, the Trump administration has urged Kiev to reimburse the US for aid given since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, while also advising European NATO allies that they should take on “the overwhelming share” of future assistance to Ukraine, as the US shifts its focus to domestic issues.
“The Americans are withdrawing from financing Ukraine, and Brussels will want to make Europeans, including us, Hungarians, pay for this,” Orban stated. He indicated that Brussels might move forward with this strategy if it endorses Ukraine’s EU membership application.
He further elaborated, “The proposal is already on the table that we, Hungarians, give Ukraine 200 billion forints [$520 million] a year.” Orban warned that if such a plan materializes, it would adversely affect Hungarian farmers through the loss of area-based subsidies that would instead be allocated to Ukraine. He emphasized that since no preconditions have been established for Ukraine’s EU accession, it should not be considered, vowing that Budapest will never consent to such an idea.
“We are the ones who rebel against the empire… so that they cannot force their will on us from Brussels,” he asserted.
The Hungarian prime minister has consistently clashed with Brussels over its stance on the Ukraine crisis, expressing opposition to the financial and military assistance provided to Kiev. He expressed support for US initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine, referencing recent bilateral talks between US and Russian officials in Riyadh. “Hungary, as before, supports the ceasefire and peace. Peace can only be good for us, energy prices will fall, trade will revive, and the economy will strengthen.”
In response to the potential reduction of US aid, reports suggest that the EU is working on a strategy to maintain support for Ukraine. According to the Polish Press Agency, EU lawmakers are considering establishing a new fund to raise money for military assistance to Ukraine. This fund would reportedly be financed partly by proceeds from Russian assets frozen within the EU and partly through voluntary contributions from EU member states, calibrated to their national income.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
