Orban Agrees to Discuss Ukraine's EU Ambitions Amid Aid Controversies

As Western aid remains uncertain, Germany and Finland pledge additional support to Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has agreed to a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss Ukraine's ambitions to join the European Union.
Orban previously blocked a 50 billion euro EU aid package to Ukraine, but allowed accession talks to pass by leaving the room during the vote.
Ukraine has received the last 1.5 billion euro tranche from a previously approved 18 billion euro package from the EU, while other Western aid remains uncertain.
Germany has pledged an additional 88.5 million euros to help strengthen Ukraine's energy system, and Finland has announced a new aid package worth 106 million euros.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced plans to mobilize Ukrainian men between 25 and 60 who reside abroad, though specific mechanisms for recruitment are not yet in place.