New discussions in early 2024.he 27 countries of the European Union will meet again, very soon, to discuss financial support for kyiv. “I don’t want to go too far into the details, I will work in the coming days and weeks with my colleagues to prepare a summit for the beginning of next year”underlined the President of the European Council Charles Michel, Friday December 15.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has, in fact, vetoed new EU budgetary support for Ukraine of 50 billion euros in loans and grants. The adoption of this package required the unanimity of member states. However, they agreed on the opening of negotiations for Ukraine’s EU membership. Follow our live stream.
Confidence of Member States. The EU had planned to grant Ukraine aid of 50 billion euros, 33 billion in loans and 17 billion euros in donations, over four years from 2024. “There are 26 countries that have given the green light. There is no agreement with Hungary at the moment, but I am confident that we will achieve it next year”declared Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. “Overnight summary: veto for additional funds to Ukraine” as for the proposed revision of the European budget, reacted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on X (ex-Twitter).
Agreement on the opening of negotiations. EU leaders decided on Thursday to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, despite the open opposition of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who ultimately did not use his right of veto. “This is a victory for Ukraine, for all of Europe, a victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens”immediately launched Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
New sanctions against Russia. The European Union approved a new package of sanctions against Moscow, including banning imports of Russian diamonds into the EU and also improving the effectiveness of sanctions on Russian oil. This is the 12th package of sanctions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.