Multiple crises that started and ended with the coronavirus outbreak in the last four years war in ukrainehas exhausted its flexibility margin European budget framework. Continuing to help Kiev finance Europe’s growing needs migration, competitiveness or just pay debt interest It’s time to put more money into the community piggy bank. In June, Brussels proposed governments increase the budget by 100 billion (66 billion in fresh money, the rest in loans); This was far from unanimity among the Twenty-Seven. Time is very important; They need to reach an agreement on the review by December, and that’s the only thing that creates some consensus among them. EU heads of state and governmentDespite accusations from partners such as Hungary and Slovakiagives more money Ukraine.
“Ukraine is a priority and will continue to be so,” the President of the European Council insisted. Charles MichelAfter the summit of European leaders held in Brussels this Thursday and Friday, the war in the Slavic country has been put on the back burner for the first time in months, being left behind by the humanitarian disaster suffered by Palestine and Israel’s demand. EU leaders will create “humanitarian corridors” and “stops” for aid to enter Gaza. “Despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, our focus remains on supporting Ukraine. We will continue to provide the weapons and ammunition and financial assistance they need,” the European Commission presidency said. He gave his guarantee. Ursula von der Leyen. European countries have given 83 billion euros to Kiev so far. Brussels’ proposal is to grant other grants within the framework of reviewing the budget framework for the 2024-2027 period. 50,000 million for the next four years.
A proposal that evokes “majority” support but also some reservations. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said, “I felt great unity on the Ukraine issue. Almost all countries agree that support must continue.” However, this unit has some cracks. “Ukraine is among the most corrupt countries in the world, and we attribute excessive financial support to the guarantee that European money (including Slovak money) will not be misused,” warned Slovakia’s newly elected prime minister. Robert FicoThe same Hungarians who attacked during the election campaign Viktor Orbanagainst the strategy European sanctions on Russia He promised to end military support to Ukraine.
“Both did not rule out the possibility of providing aid to Ukraine even in the long term. The question is what kind of aid and how the EU will ensure that it is used efficiently,” the Bulgarian Prime Minister said. said. Nicolai Denkov. “What is the alternative if we do not help Ukraine? Really Russia wins and what happens next? (…) We must discuss more,” the Estonian Prime Minister recalled. Kaja Kallas. Beyond priorities, the question is where to get the money. Brussels wants governments to put more money into the piggy bank. Most member states want Brussels to tighten its belt and seek funding from unused funds.
diamond sanctions
For now, leaders have approved Brussels’ plans to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine – they agreed politically on this issue in March last year – and asked the European Commission to submit legislative proposals. Currently only the Central Bank of Russia has frozen assets worth EU 211 billion producing benefits that can be directed to finance reconstruction. The Baltic countries, Poland and the Northern countries have been pressing for months to direct this money to Kiev, in the face of the suspicions and forethought of the European Central Bank and capitals such as Berlin.
Moreover, Brussels continues to work on the twelfth round of sanctions against Russia, which, as Von der Leyen confirmed, will include restrictions on Russia in coordination with the G7 countries. diamonds The Russians will continue to strangle the Kremlin financially. This is a measure that has been preserved until now and is particularly effective. Belgium and to the city of Antwerp, one of the world epicenters for the trade of these precious stones. The new round, like the previous ones, will require: consensus The prime ministers of the Twenty-Seven Countries, including Slovakia and Hungary, once again made it clear at this summit that they took into account the EU’s strategy towards Russia and Russia. Vladimir PutinHe upset some European leaders when he met recently in Beijing (the first European leader to do so since the invasion of Ukraine).
“Russia and Hungary have a common neighbor called Ukraine, and we have this strategy: peace. The Hungarian Prime Minister defended himself on Thursday: “We want to keep all communication channels open.” We will not prohibit a head of State or Government from meeting this or that leader. “Out of respect and loyalty, my request is to ensure coordination,” the French President warned. Emmanuel MacronHe gives an emphatic response to Orbán’s criticism of Brussels: “There is a fundamental difference, Brussels did not invade Hungary. Hungary decided to sovereignly join our Europe and benefited greatly from it (…) A sovereign action is a “Military domination is serious if we confuse it with action,” he added.