Ukraine Faces Crucial Test at EU After US Leaves It Empty-Handed

Hungarian Premier Orban set to dictate outcome of gathering
Hungary opposes aid package and starting EU membership talks

WATCH: Orban’s push to block funding for Ukraine is set to dictate the outcome of the EU leaders summit. Ros Mathieson reports.Source: Bloomberg

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By Jorge Valero, Alberto Nardelli, and Natalia Drozdiak

December 14, 2023 at 5:00 AM UTC

Updated on

December 14, 2023 at 9:41 AM UTC

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to dictate the outcome of a summit of European Union leaders — with the potential to turn it into a failure and highlight crumbling support for Ukraine.

Orban’s push to block funding for Ukraine and obstruct the start of talks for the country to join the EU has frustrated partners in the bloc before the gathering in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Orban’s opposition to a €50 billion ($54 billion) support package for Kyiv coincides with Congress stalling US President Joe Biden’s request for further military assistance.