<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/01/eu-agrees-50bn-package-for-ukraine-as-viktor-orban-bows-to-pressure>
"A robust and united position among EU member states convinced Viktor Orbán to
end his “blackmail” and support a €50bn (£43bn) funding package for Ukraine,
European prime ministers have said.
The Hungarian prime minister, who had been vowing to block the funds since
December, performed one of the fastest U-turns seen at a leaders’ summit after
six weeks of brinkmanship.
There was relief that the deal was finally done but also a sense of fury among
leaders who had been dragged to Brussels for the second time in as many months
to try to get the package over the line after Orbán blocked the aid in
December.
The Finnish prime minister, Petteri Orpo, said: “Nobody can blackmail 26
countries of the EU. Our values were not for sale.”
Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, who said he had “nothing nice” to say
to the Hungarian prime minister, warned there would be no reward for Orbán or
anyone who had tried to solicit “rotten compromises”.
With support for Ukraine’s war effort faltering in Washington, leaders stressed
the importance of the decision which would help underwrite Ukraine’s public
services including teachers, doctors and soldiers’ pay for the next four years.
Europe’s support was “united and unanimous” and not torn asunder by one
Kremlin- friendly country, said the French president, Emmanuel Macron.
“The message is clear, Russia cannot count on any fatigue from Europeans in
their support for Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said the decision was one of
“historic proportions” which would demonstrate to Vladimir Putin that talk of
“fatigue or waning support” is simply false.
Orban finally succumbed to pressure after a series of 11th-hour meetings with
the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, the French president, Emmanuel
Macron, and the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, as well as the European
Commission and Council presidents, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel.
“I think he was not seeing any more options. He cashed in,” said one senior
source."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
