European Union leaders are ready to deprive Hungary of its voting rights if Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocks the approval of €50 billion in financial aid to Ukraine. Politico reported this on January 26, citing several European diplomats.
"If Orban indeed blocks the agreement (regarding the budget and allocation of €50 billion for Ukraine - OstroV) at the February summit, the use of Article 7 to strip Hungary of its voting rights could become a real option", - said one EU diplomat.
It is noted that five European officials and diplomats stated that other EU countries are prepared to stand against Budapest, which would be a historic move for leaders who rely on unity and consensus.
"After many years of a soft approach to Budapest, European diplomats have hinted that the 'nuclear option' - removing Hungary from the EU voting process - is no longer unthinkable if it jeopardizes the security of Ukraine, a candidate country for EU membership", - the statement said.
Earlier, it was reported that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supported the position of his Hungarian colleague Viktor Orban on the need to revise the European Union's plan for financial assistance to Ukraine by €50 billion.