Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed a 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine, saying in an interview, “In essence, they wanted to give the money of the Hungarians, the money of the member states, including Hungary’s money to the Ukraine.”
Orbán is the only European Union leader opposing Ukraine becoming a member of the EU, with 27 states agreeing at the EU summit yesterday to start talks with Ukraine. Orbán said, “Let’s be clear, Ukraine is not ready to be part of the EU.”
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said of Orbán, “He disagrees with this decision and he’s not changing his opinion in that sense, but essentially decided not to use the veto power.… I respect the fact that he he didn’t do that, because it would have put us in a very difficult position as a European Union.”
Orbán left the room and did not use his veto powers, but stated, “We can halt this process later on, and if needed we will pull the brakes.”
