In a sign of increasing concern across Europe about the dangers of a Russian victory in Ukraine, European Union leaders have threatened to punish Hungary if it prevents a $54 billion aid package for Ukraine this week.
The bloc’s leaders have decided to return to Brussels on Thursday in an effort to agree on a €50 billion package that would provide crucial support to Kyiv’s budget to cover the costs of essential services over the next four years.
Options to Compel Hungary
Before Thursday’s summit, European diplomats revealed that the Union is considering various options to force Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to support the aid package, according to “The Wall Street Journal.”
One of these allows the European Union to strip any country of its right to vote on Union matters and some funding if it fails to respect the rule of law.
However, this would require the support of all the other 26 European Union leaders, a demand that seems very demanding despite what European diplomats say is increasing anger within the bloc about the Hungarian Prime Minister’s approach to handling the war in Ukraine.
The Aid Card
Meanwhile, the European Union has other ways to pressure Hungary.
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, has withheld more than 20 billion euros of aid to Budapest’s budget due to concerns about corruption and democratic standards.
To release the frozen funds, the Commission would need the support of the European Union governments, which Hungary’s decision on Ukraine could jeopardize.
Economic Difficulties
Moreover, European officials went as far as writing a document, published by the “Financial Times” earlier, indicating that Hungary could face economic difficulties, including rising inflation and a weak currency, if it becomes clear that it will not be able to access European Union funds.
The Hungarian Prime Minister had blocked the aid package in December, forcing European Union leaders to meet again.
Voting Rights and Withholding Funds
Now, European Union diplomats are talking about stripping Hungary of some voting rights and withholding additional funds from the European Union budget from Budapest if Orbán prevents aid to Ukraine again.
It is noted that without the European Union’s approval, the funds needed to cover salaries and pensions in Ukraine could start running out as early as the coming weeks, just as Russia has pushed its military forces into a defensive position.
Currently, Russia’s gains in Ukraine have been minimal, despite the lack of new Western aid.
But as Russia expands its defense industry and increases spending on the war, Ukraine faces an increasingly wide gap in vital weapons such as ammunition, leading to warnings that Kyiv’s war-weary forces may have to retreat in the coming months.
