Hungary’s Prime Minister Orban threatens to block all aid from the European Union to Ukraine – Politico

The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, is threatening to block all European Union aid to Ukraine and the country’s future accession to the EU if EU leaders do not agree to revise their entire strategy of supporting Kiev.

This information is contained in a letter addressed to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, which was reviewed by Politico.

In the letter, the Hungarian leader states that no decisions regarding the financing of Ukraine, opening negotiations on EU accession, or further sanctions against Russia can be made until this “strategic discussion” takes place, when leaders gather in Brussels in mid-December.

“The European Council must assess the implementation and effectiveness of our current policy towards Ukraine, including various aid programs,” Orban writes in the letter, which is undated but bears the stamp of his office.

He also questions why Europe should continue supporting Ukraine when the United States, which has provided the bulk of military aid to Kiev, may not be able to continue funding due to a political deadlock regarding future support.

“The European Council must engage in an honest and open discussion about the realism of the EU’s strategic objectives in Ukraine,” the letter states. “Do we still consider these goals realistically achievable? Is this strategy sustainable without robust support from the United States? Can we take continuous support from the US for granted? How do we envision the architecture of Europe’s security after the war?” Orban writes.

The letter adds that “the European Council is unable to make key decisions regarding proposed security guarantees or additional financial support for Ukraine, endorse further strengthening of the EU sanctions regime, or agree on the future of the enlargement process unless a consensus is reached on our future strategy towards Ukraine.”