EU summit decides to launch membership talks with Ukraine

Hungary Blocks $54 Billion Aid Deal , As EU Opens Door to Membership Talks. On Dec. 14, EU leaders convened in Brussels to authorize $54 billion in aid for Ukraine, but it was not approved because of Hungary, the only member state to object. . We still have some time, Ukraine is not out of money in the next few weeks. I am fairly confident we can get a deal early next year. We are thinking of late January, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, via statement. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has close ties with Russia, 'The Hill' reports. In October, he had a controversial in-person meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Prior to the aid deal being blocked, the EU officially opened accession talks with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the development a "victory.". This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, via X. However, Orbán also objected to beginning accession talks with Ukraine, reportedly trying for hours to get other EU members to vote against it. However, Orbán also objected to beginning accession talks with Ukraine, reportedly trying for hours to get other EU members to vote against it. Later, on Hungarian state radio, Orbán said Hungary could still stop the process if it wanted to, CBS News reports. . Later, on Hungarian state radio, Orbán said Hungary could still stop the process if it wanted to, CBS News reports.

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