It would not be the first time that the head of the Hungarian government Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico just threatened at home, but when they came to Brussels, they finally signed everything.
This time it was only the second one. Slovakia at the European Union’s leaders’ summit yesterday voted for everything – together with other Member States, we have committed ourselves to invest more in common defense and Fico also signed additional assistance to Ukraine.
Orbán, however, clenched this time – he did not vote for helping Ukraine. Therefore, from the summit, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who personally came to it, must have mixed feelings.
Fico threatened only at home
“If I see some representatives from the part of some representatives that what we want again and what it is all good for. If I see the lack of interest with us to talk about this (…), of course, it may happen that I block the adoption of conclusions concerning the massive financial and military assistance of Ukraine, ”
Finally, he did not fulfill the threats and it was not the first time. For example, Slovakia has never used the legendary sentence in the European Union and this time.
“Despite the fact that it was said, how about the evidence of the European Union, 26 countries – including Slovakia – is a relatively large unity,” said Slovak MEP Lucia Yar (PS), who is also a member of the Euro Parliamentary Security Committee. According to her, Slovakia, by the mouth of Robert Fico, also applied for continuing to support Ukraine. “In the section approved by everyone, there is a fundamental re -armament – and again Slovakia and the Robert Fico government reports. It is a good news for the security of Slovakia and the European Union,” he adds.
“Robert Fico pounded in the breast, saying that he needed to very much hawk the question of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. Finally, the annex that was not approved was the sentence that Slovakia is to continue cooperation with Ukraine and find solutions together.
What the leaders have agreed on
The Union has committed to increase defense spending and more financially support Ukraine, including armaments. All 27 leaders, including Orbán, agreed on the first. On the other only without it, only 26 Member States.
Europe also wants to be more involved in the agreement of the ceasefire in Ukraine. It uses the term “reach peace through power”. To put it simply, the EU Member States need to be militarily stronger, but Ukraine and Ukraine should have greater military force with the help of the EU.
“Achieving ‘power through strength’ requires that Ukraine be in the strongest position as possible, with the basic element being its own strong military and defense capacities,” the European Union said in coordination with similar -minded partners and allies to provide Ukraine and its people increased political, financial, economic, military and diplomic, military and diplomatic. support. ”
After President Donald Trump’s efforts to put pressure on Ukraine to retreat to Russia, and after the US is detached from Europe’s security, EU leaders generally agree that Europe must be re -armed to be able to defend Kiev – and itself.
Although inconsistency is usually held behind closed doors, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed the leaders’ statement, which means that only 26 leaders approved the final armament agreement.
A five -point agreement confirming that no negotiations on Ukraine must be carried out without Ukraine, and the Union undertakes to provide Ukraine for EUR 30.6 billion in 2025, it was established after a one -half -hour discussion with.
All 27 Member States approved a proposal to significantly increase defense expenditure throughout the block by up to € 800 billion using a range of new financing tools. Including loans that the European Commission should provide to Member States.
But the countries of the Union have also committed to increase defense spending in relation to gross domestic product (GDP). In addition, these expenditures should not be counted in budget deficits. However, the Union has to tune the specific mechanism, and Thursday’s agreement is only a promise and is not binding.
Hungary is already one leg outside
“Hungary is isolated,” António Costa on Thursday at the conclusion of an extraordinary EU summit on which Viktor Orbán blocked the approval of common conclusions to support Ukraine.
Orbán opposed the final text that talks about “peace through power”, military aid and security guarantees for Kiev.
“Hungary has a different strategic approach to Ukraine,” said the European Costa President at the end of the meeting in Brussels. “This means that Hungary is isolated among 27 countries. We respect Hungary’s attitude, but it is one of 27 states. And 26 is more than one. ”
Peace interviews
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Greenable in the meantime said he would meet Saudi Crown Prince in his home Saudi Arabia next Monday. He added that his team will remain at negotiations with US partners to end the war in Ukraine.
“Next Monday I have planned to visit Saudi Arabia, where I will meet the Crown Prince. Then my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace, ”wrote Zelenskyj in the post on the X network, emphasizing the determination of Ukraine to achieve“ fast and reliable peace ”.
The meeting was also confirmed by the White House, but stated that the details are being discussed.
Trump’s Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkoff, who also plays a leading role in Ukraine talks, said the interviews are likely to take place in Riyadh or Jidda.
EU leaders’ conclusions about Ukraine (without Hungary)
- It is not possible to negotiate Ukraine without Ukraine.
- Without the participation of Europe, it is not possible to conduct negotiations that affect European security.
- Any ceasefire or stopping the fighting can only be carried out as part of the process leading to a comprehensive peace agreement.
- Any such agreement must be accompanied by fixed and trusted security guarantees for Ukraine, which will contribute to the averts of future Russian aggression.
- Peace must respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
