BRUSSELS — The European Union decided on Thursday to begin accession talks with the war-torn nation, but failed to reach a consensus on a financial aid package worth 50 billion euros ($54 billion), which Ukraine sorely needs to survive.
Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed the aid,
dealing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yet another severe blow after he was unable to convince American lawmakers to approve an additional $61 billion for Ukraine, primarily for the purchase of American weapons, this week.
The beginning of accession negotiations was a historic event and a startling reversal for a war-torn nation that had long faced fierce resistance from Orban and had struggled to secure support for its membership ambitions.
Hungary
After deciding not to veto the accession negotiations, the leader of Hungary blocked the aid package.
Hungary “26 leaders reached a consensus on the budget negotiation,” stated Charles Michel, President of the European Council. “I should be extremely detailed. As is customary in this nation, one leader—Sweden—needs to confer with the parliament, but the other leader couldn’t agree.
The EU’s members had to agree on the decisions in unison.Hungary
Nevertheless, Michel, who was presiding over the summit in Brussels, referred to the initiation of accession negotiations as “a clear signal of hope for their people and our continent.”
Zelenskyy hailed the agreement as “a victory for Ukraine,” despite the fact that it may take many years from the start of negotiations to Ukraine’s eventual admittance. The triumph of all of Europe.
According to Zelenskyy, “those who never give up fighting for freedom make history.”
Both the additional funding and an evaluation of the EU budget were vetoed by Orban, making it impossible to approve the financial package. To help its battered economy survive in the upcoming year, Ukraine is heavily reliant on the funds.
Michel stated that in an attempt to end the impasse, leaders would get together again in January.
Hungary Prior to the summit, Orban had issued a warning, claiming that forcing a decision on the Ukraine issues could split the EU. All 27 members of the EU must agree on measures pertaining to both the expansion of the organization and a review of its long-term budget, which includes the 50 billion euros ($54.1 billion) in aid for the Kyiv government.
Hungary In the end, Orban withdrew his threat to veto the initiation of accession negotiations.
The start of membership talks, according to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, is a slap in the face to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Moscow is receiving a very clear message. We Europeans never give up on Ukraine,” he remarked.
Hungary Orban stated that while he would not use his veto, he would not change his position because the 26 other countries were making such a compelling case for it. An abstention does not bar a decision from being adopted under EU regulations.
Because the summit talks were private, an EU official insisted on remaining anonymous, but stated that Orban was “momentarily absent from the room in a pre-agreed and constructive manner” when the decision was made.
Orban stated that he resigned because all of his rivals were dedicated to guiding Ukraine toward EU membership, even though their stance did not alter his decision.
“Hungary’s stance is unambiguous: we should not start talks on Ukraine’s EU membership just yet. It’s a wholly incorrect, irrational, and nonsensical choice,” he declared.Hungary
Others praised Orban’s action. They had spent an extra day on Saturday getting ready for the summit.
“Definitely more quickly than any of us anticipated,” Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of Ireland, said.
To be fair to Prime Minister Orban, he presented his case with great vigor. He basically chose not to exercise his veto power even though he disagrees with the decision and isn’t changing his mind in that regard, Varadkar said.
The Irish leader continued, “I respect the fact that he didn’t do that, because it would have put us in a very difficult position as a European Union.”
A slightly different opinion was expressed by De Croo of Belgium, who claimed that Orban “didn’t use his veto because he realized that it would be indefensible.”
Concurrently with Ukraine, the leaders of the European Union resolved to initiate accession talks with Moldova, Ukraine’s neighbor.
“The EU’s historic decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, a crucial step toward fulfilling their Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” was hailed by national security adviser Jake Sullivan in the United States.
The news was greeted with cautious optimism in Kyiv.
Europe is who we are. Europe is Ukraine, Europe at its center. Olha Paradovska, a 70-year-old resident of Kiev, stated, “I want us to be recognized as a proud member of Europe.”
The 19-year-old Ivan Olezhko stated that it was past time to begin accession negotiations. “We don’t know what will happen next, but if everything goes well, I will be happy,” he remarked.
The fateful announcement came completely as a surprise after Orban chose not to obstruct his colleagues’ move, as EU leaders had anticipated that the summit would last until late Friday at the latest before any kind of breakthrough might be secured.
A gleaming “This is a historic moment, and it shows the credibility of the European Union,” Michel declared as he unexpectedly entered the summit media room. The European Union’s strength. The choice has been made.
He stated that before a report is given to the leaders in March, the negotiations will begin.
Zelenskyy was in dire need of help, and the surprise came right after his pleading with the US Congress for more aid this week in Washington, D.C. The president of Ukraine was hoping for a better reaction in Brussels.
According to De Croo, “it is equally important that Ukraine has the means to continue the war and rebuild its country.”
In a video address to the leaders gathered in Brussels, the president of Ukraine stated that the only thing that could be more pressing than the need for a solution is the possible damage to the EU’s reputation.
Nobody desires for Europe to be viewed as unreliable. Or it prepared itself as if incapable of making decisions,” he remarked.
