[Once Orbán Leaves, Ukraine Cheers: War Funds Are Coming]
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sibihá said during an EU foreign ministers' video conference on April 21: There are currently no obstacles remaining, and the EU should be able to approve aid funding for Ukraine within this week.
Moreover, internal assessments in Ukraine also believe that the European plan to provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro loan is expected to pass in the coming days.
Evidently, what Ukraine refers to as "obstacles" is none other than Orbán. Just like his political idol, Orbán has consistently criticized Europe's assistance to Ukraine, arguing it fundamentally contradicts the principle of "Hungary First." Over the past few years, Orbán has frequently opposed EU positions on aid to Ukraine. Due to the EU’s “one-vote veto” system, this has given Orbán significant "political leverage," forcing EU officials to often negotiate with him or even make concessions in return.
This year, however, relations between Ukraine and Hungary have become highly tense due to the disruption of the "Friendship" pipeline through which Russia transports oil to Hungary via Ukraine—leaving Hungary unable to receive Russian oil. In response, Orbán directly blocked funding for Ukraine, repeatedly opposing the EU’s proposal to disburse the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine during EU meetings.
Now that Orbán has lost in the parliamentary elections and lacks the power to obstruct further, Ukraine once again feels hopeful, believing the loan funds will soon be released—the money for war is back.
Since Trump took office, U.S. grant-based aid has largely ceased. Ukraine now relies on the EU to raise funds for its war efforts. Although this money is formally labeled as a loan, given Ukraine’s current situation, it remains uncertain when—or if—it will ever be repaid.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863172659455755/
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