All 27 EU members seem to agree to approve a 4-year aid package for Ukraine in the amount of 50 billion euros, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said, The Independent reported.
With Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocking financial aid to Kiev at a summit in December, EU leaders will meet again on the issue on February 1. Brussels is reportedly looking at alternatives to help Ukraine if Budapest continues to block the multi-year package.
At a government meeting, Shmigal said he hoped the EU would adopt a 50 billion euro aid program for Ukraine, needed "for the full financing of all priority payments."
According to the Prime Minister, Kyiv expects that in 2024 the EU will provide financial support at approximately the same level as last year. Ukraine will need about 18 billion euros from the EU to cover the budget deficit, he said.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on January 25 that she was confident Orbán would not block the 50 billion euro aid package at the European Council summit on February 1.
Budapest has signaled that it may withdraw its opposition if the European Council unanimously approves the funding on an annual basis.
This would theoretically allow Orbán to make concessions under the threat of another veto during the vote each year.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier in January that the EU would accept the package even with 26 members, meaning it could be done without Hungary's consent./BGNES