Stubborn Orban undermines Europe’s resolve on Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has once again become the thorn in the EU’s side after he blocked a 50 billion euro aid package to Ukraine at a crunch summit in Brussels.

There were two important votes at the summit last night: one on potential EU accession for Ukraine and Moldova and a vote on an aid package to the former. Orban, long known for his cantankerous contempt for the European Union, showed vehement opposition to Ukraine’s accession. Given that EU rules require unanimity on resolutions, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested he leave the room to allow the 26 other member states to vote on opening accession negotiations. 

The remaining members voted unanimously in favour. Candidate status was also granted to Georgia. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the decision: “I thank Chancellor Scholz for his personal efforts and Germany for its leadership.” Orban posted on social media: “Hungary does not want to be part of this bad decision!” 

Orban made sure he was in the room for the second vote at 2am. Consequently, Hungary was the only country that voted against the substantial aid package made up of both loans and grants intended to keep the Ukrainian government from slipping into a worrying deficit. 

European Council President Charles Michel said that despite Orban’s rigidity, he was “confident and optimistic” that Ukraine would not be left in the lurch. “We will revert to this matter early next year and we’ll try to get unanimity,” he said.

The optimism was echoed throughout the EU, with Belgium’s Alexander De Croo saying: “The message to Ukraine is: we will be there to support you, we just need to figure out a few of the details together.” Equally, Emmanuel Macron has said that he is confident Orban can be persuaded to accept the aid package. 

This withheld aid comes at a bad time for Ukraine. As the editorial board say in our latest leader, Volodymyr Zelensky has just left Washington empty-handed after Republicans refused to approve a further $60 billion in aid. 

Orban being difficult is nothing new for the EU. But what is new and even more worrying is who he seems to be impressing with his obstinacy. After the vote, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “Hungary has its own interests. And Hungary, unlike many other EU countries, firmly defends its interests, which impresses us.”

Eurosceptic Orban, even Europhobic Orban could be contended with. But an ever more pro-Russian Orban – which seems increasingly possible – is a different thing altogether. 

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