The European Union will find a way to pass a proposed 50 billion euro ($54 billion) aid package for Ukraine “with or without” the support of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk concluded at a press conference on Jan. 30.
Tusk’s comments come ahead of the Feb. 1 special summit of the European Council, where EU leaders will resume talks about aid for Ukraine. The Hungarian prime minister, broadly seen as the most pro-Russian in the EU, blocked the decision on the EU’s financial assistance for Kyiv last December.
“Viktor Orban was left alone on the battlefield, he is the only politician who is so clearly anti-Ukrainian,” Tusk said on Tuesday, adding that Orban faces a stark decision in the coming days as to whether or not to support funding.
Tusk, the former president of the European Council and a staunch supporter of Ukraine, also expressed optimism in eventually reaching an agreement on funding.
It should be an easy decision at this point.
Support the EU’s security agenda, or shoot himself in the face (politically). Ordinary hungarians won’t appreciate the wrath of Brussels, which they have so far (mostly) been spared.