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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lydia Chantler-Hicks

EU agrees on €50bn aid package for Ukraine as it prepares to enter third year of war with Russia

The EU has agreed to send a fresh aid package of 50 billion euros (£42.7 billion) to Ukraine, it was announced on Thursday.

The unanimous decision by EU leaders follows weeks of resistance by Hungary.

European Union leaders unanimously agreed on Thursday to extend 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in new aid to Ukraine, the chairman of the summit said.

"We have a deal. Unity," said European Council President Charles Michel in a post on X. "All 27 leaders agreed on an additional 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine within the EU budget.

"This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine. EU is taking leadership and responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is at stake."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision, saying it would help strengthen long-term economic and financial stability as his nation's war with Russia approaches its third year.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Ukraine expects to receive the first tranche of 4.5 billion euros (£3.8 billion) from the EU in March, the economy ministry said on Thursday.

The EU agreement comes after weeks of wrangling with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who vetoed the aid package last December.

Before the summit started, EU leaders piled pressure on Hungary to lift its block, telling Mr Orban he had to pick sides in the existential challenge posed by Russia's war.

Leaders of Germany, Poland, Belgium and Finland were among others arriving at an EU summit in Brussels to say it was crucial the 27-nation bloc agreed as one to offer aid to Kyiv from their joint budget through 2027.

Mr Orban, who has cultivated close ties with Moscow, has stepped up criticism of the EU's strategy to prop up Ukraine with financial and military aid as Russia's war against its neighbour nears the two-year mark.

On Thursday, Mr Orban did not speak to journalists on arriving at the summit to decide on EU strategy on the biggest conflict in Europe since World War Two.

Instead, he posted pictures of himself on social media walking around tractors ahead of a farmers' protest in Brussels on Thursday.

He said he'd had what he termed "a casual morning conversation" with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the top EU officials ahead of closed-door talks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made clear what the expectation of the other 26 EU countries was on Thursday.

"I am deeply convinced that an agreement is possible if Europe sees itself as a community in which all stand in solidarity," he said. "Now is the time to reach a decision. I will work very hard to come to an agreement of all 27."

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed: "As a community, we cannot give up on this. Today is the moment when Prime Minister Orban needs to see time for his games is over. He has to consider if he is in, or out," he told reporters.

Thursday's decision comes after the Rishi Sunak separately signed a security deal earlier this month, pledging the British government would provide £2.5 billion in military aid for the fight against Russia over the coming year.

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