Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has refused to approve the EU budget decision that would have included a financial aid program of €50 billion for Ukraine. This was reported by European Pravda with reference to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at the end of lengthy negotiations among EU leaders that extended into the late night.
Michel emphasized that the discussion theme was not only the funding for Ukraine. The EU leaders were presented with the option to accept a "mega-package", which included funding for supporting Ukraine, expenses for migration programs, financing for the EU Solidarity Fund, and defense.
"Only one country could not agree to this decision... The other 26 leaders agreed to this 'mega-package', including Sweden, whose Prime Minister, due to internal procedures, must discuss this decision with parliament, but, as I expect, will then join the others", - he stated.
In response to a question, the President of the European Council confirmed the assumption that the 27th leader who did not give consent is Prime Minister Orban of Hungary. "I understand that you are very well-informed about what our discussion was about", - he commented, half-jokingly.
As reported earlier, the leaders of EU member states decided to begin negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on joining the EU.