The French head of state spoke after the launch of Ukraine’s accession negotiations to the European Union, Friday December 15. “We are very far from effective enlargement to Ukraine”declared Emmanuel Macron, when asked about the concerns of European farmers. “Any enlargement whatsoever will require an in-depth reform of our rules”, he added. Follow our live stream.
For Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union will help Ukraine “whatever happens”. After Hungary’s opposition to funding of 50 billion euros for kyiv, the President of the European Commission assured, Friday December 15, that the Union would continue its aid to Ukraine. “We are working very hard, of course, to reach an agreement (…). But I think it is also necessary to work on potential alternatives in order to have a working solution in case an agreement at 27 would not be possible”she declared during a press conference.
Agreement on the opening of accession negotiations. EU leaders also decided on Thursday to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, despite the stated opposition of the same Viktor Orban who ultimately did not use his right of veto on this. subject. “This is a victory for Ukraine, for all of Europe, a victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens”immediately reacted the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russia welcomes Hungary’s veto of new EU aid to kyiv. “Hungary is a sovereign country, it has its interests. And unlike many European countries, it firmly defends its interests, which we appreciate”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. During the night from Thursday to Friday,he Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, vetoed new budgetary support, an envelope of 50 billion euros in loans and grants.
“There are 26 of us who have given the green light.” The EU had planned to grant Ukraine aid comprising 33 billion euros 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 project to revise the European budget, commented Viktor Orban on X (ex-Twitter).