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GuardianMay 19
EU Ministers Voice Frustrations After Hungary Again Blocks Ukraine Aid
Above: EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Vice President Josep Borrell prior to the start of an EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on March 18, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Image copyright: Thierry Monasse/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A number of EU ministers and diplomats voiced their frustrations on Monday after Hungary used its veto power to again block a military aid package that allows EU member states to be reimbursed for their weapons donations to Ukraine.
Hungary's blocking of the €500M ($544M) tranche of the European Peace Facility (EPF) effectively halts two more packages of the same size, as well as a €5B ($5.4B) package — taking the amount of military aid being held up to €6.5B ($7.1B).
The Spin
Narrative A
Over the course of several months, Hungary has continued to fabricate different reasons explaining why it cannot support various measures that support Ukraine. One country is basically holding the rest of the EU hostage — not allowing the bloc to carry out effective foreign policy.
Narrative B
Despite being a democratic institution, EU countries resorted to shouting and abuse when Hungary exercised its sovereign right to block decisions that harm its national interest. Hungary has no desire to follow these pro-war leaders in furthering these reckless moves that only escalate the prospects of a full-blown conflict.