European Council President expresses confidence for Ukraine funding despite Hungarian veto

The European Council President Charles Michel is urging Ukraine to see a positive signal in the vote on budget support, even though Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán blocked its adoption on Friday night.

Source: European Pravda, citing Charles Michel after the meeting of EU leaders, which lasted until late at night

Details: Michel said he had aimed to collect the votes of all 27 EU members. According to the official, there was enough political will from 26 member states to implement the decision on the start of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on their EU entry. "We are still able to make united decisions. This is challenging. We have been able to build a very broad majority, coalition, unanimity, less one vote," he said. 

As European Pravda reported, due to Orbán's refusal to support the financial package, the decision has been postponed until January, when an additional EU summit will be held to focus on this issue.

Charles Michel is confident that Ukraine will receive 50 billion euros in aid.

"We have tools to guarantee that we are reliable and that the Ukrainians can count on our support. … There is a strong political will of 26 leaders to implement this 'NegoBox'. And this is also the signal we want to send to Ukrainian friends," he said.

Michel refused to clarify whether the EU will bypass Orbán's veto (EU countries have this option concerning finances) but emphasised that the EU will fulfil its financial obligations to help Ukraine. "We have tools to guarantee that we are reliable," Michel pointed out.

Background: 

• During a summit in Brussels, European Union leaders approved the European Commission's recommendation to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova and agreed on the 12th package of sanctions against Russia.
• However, Orbán's representatives later warned that Ukraine must overcome the Hungarian veto 70 more times if it wants to join the EU.

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