Hungary has blocked European Union’s (EU) latest plan for the allocation of EUR 500 million to cover the costs of supplies of arms for Ukraine, as reported by official Budapest and European diplomats.
Since February 2022, when Russia commenced its invasion of Ukraine, European member states have provided EUR 5.6 billion from the shared budget to procure arms for Ukraine to assist in this country’s fight against Russia.
Member states agreed to use EUR 2 billion on a plan the goal of which is to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells over the course of next year.
This means the majority of nearly EUR 8 billion that were assigned to the European Peace Facility (EPF) has already been provided to Ukraine.
Hungary, which has the closest ties with Russia among EU member states, explains that it opposes the provision of more funds because the EPF budget is intended to support all partners around the world, not just Ukraine.
“The Hungarian government does not agree that the European Union – having other instruments at its disposal – should use the European Peace Facility exclusively for Ukraine,” the Hungarian government told AFP on Tuesday, the 16th of May.
“It is crucial for the Hungarian government that these issues are clarified, which is why it has not approved the disbursement of yet another tranche of the European Peace Facility,” the statement continued.
Multiple European diplomats confirmed on Wednesday, the 17th of May, that Hungary blocks the payment of new portions of funding that is intended to help compensate EU member states the costs of arms sent to Ukraine.
Diplomats are working hard to find a solution by Monday’s scheduled meeting of EU Minister of Foreign Affairs in Brussels.
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