Europe's Ukrainian Ally Drama Unveiled
This week in Brussels, Europe marks a significant moment for Ukrainian Europization with EU member states gathering for a final council meeting of the year. The plans are to provide Ukraine with more financial aid and commence membership talks. However, these plans are under threat, as one EU member state poses a significant challenge: Hungary.
This eastern European nation's populist Prime Minister, Victor Orbán, is Europe's headache lately. His nation had already shown influence over EU decisions before the Ukraine conflict, but Hungary maintains veto power, potentially blocking crucial EU policies through an 'instrumental veto.' In other words, Orbán uses the veto to secure favors in other areas, a practice that has become more common in recent years.
This time around, Hungary's veto could disrupt the release of billions of euros stuck due to corruption and rule of law concerns in Ukraine. Although it is highly probable that the issue will be resolved by week's end, allowing the EU to celebrate its sustained support for Ukraine and its EU membership aspirations, EU officials and Ukrainian aides are genuinely concerned.
Insiders argue that the EU's support waning represents a positive signal to Russia, suggesting that it could embolden further Russian involvement in the region. Moreover, Ukrainian President Zelensky's advisor claims that EU membership for Ukraine is directly linked to NATO membership, and any hesitation from EU allies would send a worrying signal to Russia.
This sentiment is echoed in Washington as talks on Ukraine's financing continue amidst Presidential election season, with each EU stumbling block significantly impacting both financial support and future relationships. Furthermore, the impact of this situation extends beyond western allies' waning interest, potentially reshaping geopolitical power dynamics worldwide.
Hungary cites energy concerns hard-hitting its supply, sanctions renewal apprehensions, and leverage to secure concessions on rule of law and corruption matters. These veto threats pose risks, both inside and outside the EU, prolonging Ukraine's EU membership process, complicating international relations, and potentially undermining the EU's collective stance against Russia.
The UN vote and continuing fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip
US debate on Ukraine funding and its implications for the upcoming presidential elections
In conclusion, Hungary's veto threat developments provide challenging implications for Ukraine and broader Europe, potentially reshaping their geopolitical standing significantly.
