Ukraine, Michel: “27-member agreement on aid to Kiev”
The heads of state and government meeting in Brussels they found a “27” agreement on macro-financial assistance to Ukraine, for 50 billion euros. This was announced by the President of the European Council Charles Michel, via social media, shortly after the European Council formally began, at the end of a six-party meeting. “We have an agreement – he says – unity. All 27 leaders have agreed on an additional 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine within the EU budget. This guarantees constant, long-term and predictable funding for the 'Ukraine. The EU is taking leadership and responsibility in supporting Ukraine; we know what is at stake.”
EU, Meloni-Scholz-Macron meeting with Orban before the summit
The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloniwith the French president, Emmanuel Macronand the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, had a meeting with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, before the start of the summit's work. The meeting was also attended by the president of European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Secretary General of the Council, Thérèse Blanchet. The objective of the meeting is to convince Orban to withdraw his veto against the approval of the revision of the EU budget which allocates 50 billion euros for Ukraine.
Rutte: “We need an agreement between the 27: any other solution is difficult”
“I hope that today we will reach an agreement at 27, which includes Hungary. And I am cautiously optimistic that this will happen and that Hungary can reach a compromise. There are many discussions but not a definitive result at the moment.” The Dutch Prime Minister declared this, Mark Rutte, upon his arrival at the extraordinary summit in Brussels. “It is impossible for me to interpret Orban's every wish,” he added. “But in the end we have to find a solution and I hope that today we will be able to do it. Sometimes you need to spend a lot of time, I don't foresee that this time it will take three days as it was for the Next Generation, I think it will be finished today. And I am cautiously optimistic that we arrive at a result at 27. There is only one way and that is to agree at 27 because any other solution is very difficult”, he specified. “We must agree on 50 billion for Ukraine, it fights our battle, it must win,” he reminded. “In the end there are also many reasons for Viktor Orban to reach a conclusion of 27 and he knows it,” Rutte pointed out.
Ukraine, De Croo: “Confident about the agreement”
“It is really crucial to reach a twenty-seven agreement on aid to Ukraine. At the last Council there was an agreement between twenty-six, and this agreement still exists. I am confident that we will reach a compromise”. The Belgian Prime Minister declared it, Alexander De Croo, current president of the EU Council upon his arrival at the extraordinary summit. “We can offer Orban European unity, continued support for Ukraine, the financing that the Ukrainian population deserves”, he replied when asked what can be offered in exchange to the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban.
Tusk: “Orban decides whether or not to stay in the EU, possible consequences”
“I think we need to be more optimistic about our strength of argument. There is no plan B. It's up to Orban to decide whether Hungary is part of our community or not. It's clear, it's black and white. My instinct says that we will find some strong arguments to convince him.” He declared it the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, upon his arrival at the extraordinary summit in Brussels. “The Ukrainian issue is existential not only for Poland, but for everyone. Today Orban's position threatens our security. I think it's obvious and it's unacceptable. This is why we must think about every possible consequence and measure in the future, but not today,” he underlined.
EU, Kallas: “Get out of blackmail: Hungary needs the EU”
“If something is offered in exchange every time, this script will continue. We must overcome this type of blackmail, I can't think of better words.” She declared itor the Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, upon his arrival at the extraordinary EU summit. “Hungary does not have the euro. The interest rate of the Hungarian central bank is at 9%, which shows how its economy is doing. Hungary needs Europe. It should also look at the advantages of being in Europe “, he added. However, Kallas does not consider using Article 7.2 to deprive Budapest of the right to vote in the Council. “If we go ahead with this procedure we have to know that there must be twenty-six states against one and this is not clear. And we really have to think about what happens next, if we use this nuclear option how can we work then?”, he highlighted.
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