Hungary's Orban Opposes EU Funding and Membership Talks for Ukraine

As Ukraine's war effort faces potential funding shortfall, Orban's stance threatens to derail EU plans, causing tension within the bloc.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for $61.4bn in funding from the US and $20.5bn from the EU for Ukraine’s war effort next year may not be granted as the US and EU delay funds.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has written to European Council President Charles Michel, urging him not to invite the European Council to decide on Ukraine’s funding or an invitation to start membership talks at the upcoming EU Summit.
Orban's stance is at odds with the European Commission, which recommended last month that the bloc's leaders give Kyiv the thumbs-up to begin talks as soon as it has met some final conditions.
Orban, who is considered one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies in Europe, has long argued against EU sanctions on Russia and has held up financial aid for Kyiv.
The European Commission has been urged not to 'appease' Viktor Orbán by unfreezing billions of euros for Budapest, as the Hungarian prime minister threatens to derail EU plans to open accession talks with Ukraine and grant Kyiv fresh aid.