The European Union’s efforts to provide additional military aid to Ukraine have hit a roadblock after Hungary vetoed a proposed €30 billion ($32 billion) package at an emergency European Council meeting in Brussels on March 6. The move, which comes at a critical time for Kiev, underscores the deepening divisions within the bloc regarding the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Despite overwhelming support from 26 of the 27 EU member states, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban exercised his veto power to block the leaders’ statement, delaying the proposed financial and military assistance. The five-point agreement not only included security guarantees for Ukraine but also reinforced commitments to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and ensured that no negotiations with Russia would take place without Kiev’s participation.

Orban, who has consistently opposed the escalation of military aid to Ukraine, justified his decision by arguing that the proposal directly contradicted Hungary’s long-standing call for peace talks rather than continued warfare.

“It talks about Ukraine needing to be strengthened so that it can fight even further. And Hungary, of course, did not support it because this was completely contrary to our position in favor of peace,” Orban told reporters following the summit.

According to the conclusive statement published on the European Council’s official website, a final decision on the proposed aid package has been postponed until the next EU leaders’ summit, scheduled for March 20. This delay leaves Ukraine in a precarious position as it continues to battle Russian forces without a clear timeline for further EU........

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