THE European Union suggested to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban an annual discussion of financial aid given to Ukrainehoping to lift his veto on the support of 50 billion eurosas European officials stated today on the eve of an emergency summit.

“There is a proposal … that clearly extends a hand to Hungary,” a European diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity told reporters.

At tomorrow’s summit in Brussels, European leaders will try to persuade Viktor Orbán – Moscow’s closest ally within the EU – to drop his opposition to this €50bn of aid over four years, which Kiev desperately needs it.

Hungary wants to be able to have an annual review of these funds but the other EU countries do not want to give it these regular opportunities to exercise a veto.

The nationalist leader has been accused of blackmailing the EU to ensure the payment of European funds meant for his country but which are now frozen by Brussels because of rule of law violations that Budapest accuses.

The solution proposed by the EU is to organize an annual debate at the level of European leaders on financial aid to Ukraine but without the possibility of veto.

A senior EU official told reporters that this was “a step towards Hungary”, acknowledging that at this stage there is no agreement on this proposal from Hungarian negotiators.

This high-ranking official, who wished to remain anonymous, estimated that there are “more positive signs” than at the end of 2023, when Viktor Orbán, contrary to the views of the other 26 heads of state or government, blocked the aid to Ukraine.

If they fail to convince their Hungarian counterpart, other European leaders have promised to find a solution to continue supporting Ukraine financially.