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Hungary blocks €50bn of EU funding for Ukraine

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Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has blocked €50 billion in EU aid for Ukraine, a move that comes just hours after EU leaders reached an agreement to begin membership talks. Orban, known for maintaining close ties with Russia, announced the veto, citing opposition to additional financial support for Ukraine. While the EU leaders unanimously agreed on aid and wider budget proposals, Hungary’s objection led to the postponement of aid negotiations until early next year. Despite Hungary’s stance, the EU proceeded with granting membership talks to Ukraine, Moldova, and candidate status to Georgia.

The decision to block aid raises concerns for Ukraine, which heavily relies on EU and US funding in its ongoing struggle against Russian forces. This setback comes at a time when Ukraine is also seeking approval for a $61 billion US defense aid package, facing delays due to disagreements among US lawmakers. The potential implications for Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russian forces, especially with the arrival of winter, heighten anxieties about the country’s ability to resist the occupation.

President Zelensky of Ukraine expressed gratitude for the EU’s decision on membership talks, despite the aid block. The EU’s move to include Ukraine and Moldova in accession talks was celebrated as a “victory” by Zelensky, who emphasized the importance of the decision for both countries. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu also welcomed the development, acknowledging the shared path to EU accession with Ukraine. Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the decision as a “strong sign of support,” highlighting that both Ukraine and Moldova belonged to the “European family.”

Prime Minister Orban, in a video message on Facebook, distanced himself from his EU counterparts, labeling Ukraine’s membership as a “bad decision” and reiterating Hungary’s opposition to providing substantial funds to Ukraine. The EU’s decision to open accession talks does not guarantee immediate membership for Ukraine, as the process involves passing numerous reforms and adhering to EU standards, a journey that can span several years. Despite the challenges, the EU’s commitment to engaging in talks signals a significant step toward fulfilling Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

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Finally, mistake admitted by Dutch

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The Dutch government has admitted its failure to protect the Jewish community during the Nazi invasion of the country.

This is the first time the government has admitted the mistake they committed by the country during the period of the Second World War.

The government has also apologised to the community in connection with this matter.

More than 75 per cent of the total population of the community prior to the Holocaust were brutally murdered during the period of the Nazi invasion.

At the time of invasion, the Jewish population of the country was around 1,40,000. It was reduced to less than 40,000 by the invasion.

The apology was a long standing demand of the Jewish community. It is felt as if the community has been served justice finally.

The period of the Second World War was a period of terror. At that time, the Nazi Germany was in an aggressive mode. It occupied several of its neighbouring countries. The suppression of the Jewish community was one of their main political agenda. They used concentration camps for the actualisation of their main political agenda. During this period, more than six million Jews were brutally murdered.


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