Hungary's Orbán threatens to block Ukraine aid if EU rejects US peace plan
Photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (facebook.com)
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is urging the European Union to back the US ultimatum-style peace plan for Ukraine and is threatening to block all EU assistance to Kyiv, Politico reports.
Orbán sent a provocative letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on November 22.
He is pressing the EU to accept every condition laid out by the United States in its 28-point peace plan. The proposal requires Ukraine to give up part of its territory and reduce its Armed Forces. It also grants the United States 50% of profits from Ukraine's reconstruction.
Europe had no role in drafting the plan, and Ukraine was not consulted. Most of its provisions have already been widely rejected.
"Europeans must immediately and unconditionally support the peace initiative of the United States... In addition to supporting the US President, we must, without delay, launch autonomous and direct negotiations with Russia," Orbán wrote.
The Hungarian ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin is openly threatening to block all European support for Ukraine. He claims that Hungary "does not support the European Union sending any further financial assistance to Ukraine in any form" and "does not consent to such a decision being taken in the name and framework of the EU."
European officials told Politico that Orbán is overstepping his authority and indicated that EU policy will remain unchanged despite pressure from Budapest.
"Other EU countries have repeatedly made their support for Ukraine clear and have made it unequivocal. There is intense engagement and coordination among European leaders, also with non-EU partners, to continue that support in light of recent developments," an official said.
US peace plan
American and Russian officials have drafted a 28-point proposal aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine, which has been approved by US President Donald Trump. Under the plan, Ukraine would cede part of the Donbas region to Russia in exchange for long-term security guarantees for itself and the EU.
The United States is pressuring Ukraine to accept the plan by November 27, warning that military aid and intelligence sharing could be suspended if Kyiv refuses. The proposal has already drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine, European governments, and members of the US Congress.
Next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to discuss the plan with Trump. Zelenskyy, together with European leaders, is also seeking to revise the plan before November 27 to ensure its terms are equitable for Kyiv.
