(USNewsMag.com) – After weeks of opposition from Hungary, leaders of the European Union finally came to a unanimous agreement to give $54 billion (50 billion euros) to aid Ukraine’s continued war effort against Russia.
Before the beginning of the summit, EU leaders continued to pressure Hungary to change its position and lift its block on the resolution. The leaders appealed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who vetoed the package at the last summit. They urged him to pick a side in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, arguing that the Kremlin poses an existential threat to world stability in what is the largest conflict seen in Europe since the Second World War.
Following weeks of resistance, Hungary finally agreed and a deal was struck. President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, praised the decision and said the additional funds will help strengthen the long-term stability of his country’s economy as the war enters its third year. Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, announced on Twitter that the EU finally “have a deal” and reached “unity.” Michel confirmed that all 27 EU leaders came to an agreement that “an additional 50-billion-euro support package” was within the EU’s budget and would be sent to Ukraine. The first payment of 4.5 billion euros is expected to hit the nation’s bank account by March.
The deal came about a week after NATO agreed to a $1.2 billion artillery ammunition contract for member countries who have depleted their artilleries aiding Ukraine. The contract allows NATO members to purchase 220,000 rounds of the most sought-after artillery shells: 155-millimeter ammunition. It will also allow the backfilling of the nation’s arsenals to provide additional ammo to Ukraine.
The EU deal also comes amidst the ongoing debate in the US chambers of Congress about a border security package that’s tied into additional aid for Ukraine, as well as for Israel and toward securing Taiwan.
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