The European Union is preparing to cut off all funding for Budapest in a bid to hurt “jobs and growth” if Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to block aid to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing a strategy document from EU officials.
Last month, Hungary vetoed an additional €50 billion ($55 billion) in EU funding for Ukraine, with Orban vowing to put the brakes on any future financial package at an emergency summit last week.
According to the report, the EU is now planning to intentionally target Hungary’s economic vulnerabilities, jeopardize its currency, and undermine investor confidence in Budapest.
Hungarian EU Minister Janos Boka commented by saying that although he is not aware of the financial threat, Hungary would not “give in to pressure.”
He stressed the importance of EU unity being “preserved” and emphasized that Hungary is willing to “make compromises” as long as the country’s “vital interests” are not affected.
A spokesperson for the Council of the EU declined to comment.
SOURCE: RT, Monday, January 29, 2024
