EU ‘can't afford' to support Ukraine
The EU does not have the financial capacity to continue aiding Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned in an interview with Kossuth Radio on Thursday. He argued that the bloc's budget will be stretched too thin if it moves forward with all its planned initiatives, including another support package for Kiev, financing its EU membership bid, and ramping up European defense spending.
Orban's remarks came after he vetoed the EU's proposed €30 billion ($32 billion) military aid package for Ukraine at an emergency European Council meeting earlier in the day. Despite support for the proposal from the other 26 EU leaders, Orban argued that it effectively greenlighted the continuation of the conflict.
In his interview, the prime minister outlined the mounting financial burdens the bloc faces if it does not change course. First, he said, the EU would be responsible for funding Ukraine's military, as 'the Ukrainians don't have a penny for that.' Second, Brussels would have to bankroll the Ukrainian government, including salaries and pensions, because 'Ukraine, as a state, is not functioning.' Third, the bloc would need to fund Ukraine's EU membership bid, with no clear estimate of how much it could cost. Lastly, Orban pointed out that the EU has approved the ReArm Europe initiative, which calls for up to €800 billion in new defense spending.
'If I add all this up, there isn't that much money in the bloc. So this won't work like that… I think the bottom line is that we can't afford this,' Orban stated, urging EU leaders to reconsider their stance on Ukraine.
The bloc's Ukraine support package is expected to be revisited at the next EU leaders' summit later this month. However, Orban suggested that even then, the proposal is unlikely to pass, as more nations are beginning to realize that there are no available funds.
Orban's remarks come as EU leaders grow increasingly concerned over the impact of US President Donald Trump's recent policy shift on Ukraine. According to media reports, the White House has frozen new military aid to Kiev, a move Trump had been warning about for weeks. He also urged European nations to take on greater responsibility for Ukraine's war effort and their own defense, repeatedly stating that he wants the conflict to end as soon as possible so he can focus on domestic policy.
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