Tusk calls support for Ukraine a priority and speaks about possible influence on Orban before the EU summit

Newly elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, arriving in Brussels on the eve of the EU summit, spoke about his possible influence on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying that he would first need to feel the state of their relationship, UNN reports citing Politico.

Details

The Polish prime minister arrived in Brussels on Wednesday, marking his return to the European political scene.

Tusk, a former president of the European Council, told reporters that his priorities will include strengthening European unity and increasing support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing invasion.

Regarding Hungary's wobbly Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Tusk joked that he would first need to get a feel for the state of their relationship.

"I don't know if it's a compliment to me that so many people here in Brussels expect me to convince Viktor Orban to do something, because maybe despite our once long friendship and then many years of cooperation and then many years of disagreement... this relationship is very long and very volatile," Tusk said.

To recap

During today's meeting of EU leaders, all eyes will be on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who threatened to disrupt the summit before the meeting. In two letters to European Council President Charles Michel and in public comments, Orban expressed his opposition to the expected decisions on a €50 billion long-term aid package for Ukraine, as well as to opening the door to future EU membership.

European Council President Charles Michel was reportedly due to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban "to try to find a way forward" the morning before the EU summit, where Budapest's position is seen as a major potential obstacle to decisions on Ukraine.