Orban threatens to block important EU decisions on Ukraine - Politico

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatens to block all EU aid to Ukraine, as well as the country's future accession to the bloc, unless EU leaders agree to revise their entire strategy of supporting Kyiv, according to a letter from the Hungarian leader to the head of the European Council, Politico reports, UNN writes.

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"In a letter addressed to European Council President Charles Michel, the Hungarian leader says no decision on funding Ukraine, starting EU accession talks or further sanctions against Russia can be made until this 'strategic discussion' takes place when leaders meet in Brussels in mid-December," the article says.

"The European Council should analyze the implementation and effectiveness of our current policy towards Ukraine, including the various assistance programs," Orban wrote in an undated letter bearing his office's stamp, the newspaper said.

He reportedly also asked "why Europe should continue to support Ukraine at a time when the United States, which has provided Kyiv with the bulk of its military aid, may not be able to continue funding due to the impasse over future support."

"The European Council should hold a frank and open discussion on the feasibility of the EU's strategic goals in Ukraine," the letter says.

"Do we still believe that these goals are realistically achievable. Whether this strategy is viable without strong support from the United States. Whether we can take continued support from the United States for granted. How do we envision the security architecture of Europe after the war," the publication goes on to say.

The letter is quoted as adding that "the European Council is not in a position to take key decisions on proposed security guarantees or additional financial support for Ukraine, to endorse further strengthening of the EU sanctions regime or to agree on the future of the enlargement process unless a consensus is found on our future strategy for Ukraine."

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Orban's letter, the newspaper notes, raises the stakes in the standoff between Budapest and Brussels, which has put on hold €13 billion in EU funds for Hungary over concerns that the country does not meet EU standards for the rule of law.

"Without saying so explicitly, the letter suggests that Budapest could use its veto power to block the disbursement of the planned €50 billion in aid to Ukraine," the article notes.

In addition to the 50 billion euros, Orban is reportedly threatening to block 500 million euros of planned military aid to Ukraine, as well as the start of formal negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, which leaders hoped to approve at the next European Council meeting on December 14-15.

According to one EU diplomat, Orban has "booby-trapped" the entire EU decision-making process on Ukraine as part of a strategy to pressure the European Commission to hand over €13 billion to Hungary.

The diplomat went on to say that while on other occasions Budapest has abstained from voting and allowed the EU to impose sanctions on Russia, in this case "I don't see that happening."

"For Hungary, this is not a question of neutrality," the official said. - "It's about leverage.

As Hungary escalates tensions and threatens to disrupt the December summit of EU leaders, some countries are already considering ways to bypass Budapest and continue the flow of aid to Ukraine.

One such workaround reportedly could be for EU countries to channel financial aid to Ukraine through bilateral agreements rather than through EU structures such as the European Peace Fund, which coordinates EU military aid to Kyiv, effectively freezing Budapest.

But this approach will not work when it comes to the start of formal negotiations on Kyiv's accession to the EU, as Hungary will have to become part of the process. As a result, and in order to preserve the unity of the EU, the same diplomat said, it is not a good idea to freeze Hungary for now.

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In the event of a Hungarian veto, the EU's other option is to simply let the clock tick and postpone key policy decisions on Ukraine until early next year, the publication points out.

By postponing the decision to unfreeze EU funds for Budapest, the European Commission could change the situation by tightening the financial screws on Budapest and forcing it to agree on Ukraine, the newspaper writes.

"It's arm wrestling," added the diplomat, who said the European Commission has so far demonstrated great skill in defusing potential "explosions" with Budapest.