The start of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine to the EU may be delayed due to some difficulties, in particular, the opposition from Hungary. The EU is also having trouble with the promised 50 billion euro aid.
The European Union’s future decision to start membership negotiations with Ukraine is “under threat”; its participants have not yet reached an agreement to provide Kyiv with an additional 50 billion euros in aid. Reuters reported this on Friday, November 17, citing an unnamed senior representative of the bloc.
The interlocutor of the agency recalled the EU’s promises to support Ukraine “as long as necessary,” and called the current discussions in the bloc regarding additional support for Kyiv a real test for them.
“The leaders realized … that it is quite expensive. How are we going to pay for it? “said an EU official involved in the preparations for the December 14-15 summit in Brussels of the leaders of the 27 member states of the union.
The European Commission’s proposal to change the bloc’s long-term budget to allocate another 50 billion euros to Ukraine until 2027 has been criticized from various sides, he said.
“We cannot allow Ukraine to go bankrupt, this is not an option for us. But it is not easy,” said the representative of the EU.
He also cast doubt on the imminent start of formal EU membership talks with Ukraine, saying prospects of a decision at the same summit next month were “at risk”. He cited Hungarian resistance as one of the reasons, which could hinder the unity required for such a move. The official added that some EU leaders suggested returning to the discussion in March 2024, after a promised assessment of Ukraine’s compliance with the remaining conditions by the European Commission.
“Perhaps our expectations are too high. Are we going to continue to support Ukraine financially, militarily? Do we have the means to do it? Are we sure that the United States will follow us in the coming years?” – the officer asks.
“It’s not that people are calling for peace. Individual members have clearly said that at some point we need an end to this. The consensus is to continue to support Ukraine, but a number of questions arise,” said an EU official.
Earlier it was reported that the leaders of Hungary and Slovakia at the EU summit opposed the allocation of aid to Ukraine in the amount of 50 billion euros.
Hungary is becoming a problem – Prime Minister of Estonia
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.