Hungary will change its position on financial aid to Ukraine. Future Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has stated that he would not block the European Union’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine, which was previously vetoed by the government of Viktor Orbán, according to The Guardian.
At the beginning of February, the European Union agreed, after lengthy negotiations, on a €90 billion lending mechanism for Ukraine over the next two years. However, Hungary blocked the agreement, and support for Kyiv became a central issue in Orbán’s political campaign.
No reason to revisit important desicion on Ukraine
Péter Magyar has said that he sees no reason to revisit a decision already made in Brussels, effectively challenging the current government’s stance.
At the same time, he emphasized that Hungary retains the right to opt out of the loan due to its financial situation, as allowed under the agreement’s framework for individual member states.
Ukraine’s EU path as new political dividing line
Despite political disagreements, experts view this development as a step forward toward the actual disbursement of funds to Ukraine, even if the process remains imperfect.
However, Magyar has opposed an accelerated membership process for Ukraine.
“It would be impossible for a country at war to be taken by the EU,” he said, adding that all candidates must follow the same procedure.
He also suggested a referendum in Hungary on the issue after the process is completed.
"Russia poses a security risk to Europe"
When asked about Russia, Magyar said he considers Moscow a “security risk” for Europe.
“We know the Russians – and I’m not talking about the Russian people, the Russian culture, the Russian people; they are fantastic people – but the Russian bear [and its role] in Hungarian history," he states.
He adds Hungary “knows exactly what this is all about,” and says Europe “has to be ready to defend themselves and "prepare for this".
