Two EU countries, France and Germany, have not backed the proposal which seeks to override Hungary’s veto that blocks more than 6 billion euros in aid to Ukraine.

The impasse over Ukraine aid funding highlights a deepening rift within the European Union’s unified foreign policy framework. The EU faces a critical challenge in maintaining its support for Ukraine while preserving its institutional integrity, with the situation exposing the vulnerability of the EU’s unanimous consent requirement and raises questions about the bloc’s ability to respond effectively to geopolitical crises when faced with internal opposition.

As reported by Bloomberg, the European External Action Service floated the possibility of allowing member states to make voluntary contributions to the European Peace Facility (EPF), which is used to help fund military equipment. That would allow future funds to flow based on the consent of contributors rather than by unanimous support.

But some member states, including France and Germany, have voiced concerns over setting a precedent that could imperil the future of the EPF as a foreign policy tool, according to people familiar with the matter. Currently, the EPF relies on mandatory contributions based on each member state’s economic weight and requires unanimity for disbursement, Bloomberg writes.

In certain countries, voluntary contributions may require approval by national parliaments, which would add a different layer of complication. The French and German governments declined to provide a formal comment.

For more than a year, Hungary has vetoed disbursements for Ukraine, prompting member states to look for alternative solutions. It’s unclear how much support the voluntary plan will draw, said the people, who were granted anonymity to describe closed-door discussions. Such a move may require the unanimous backing of 27 member states.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has blocked several EU efforts to assist Ukraine in staving off Russia’s invasion, now approaching its third year. The Hungarian leader, who maintains ties with the Kremlin, was strongly criticized by EU leaders for visiting President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in July, just after taking charge of the bloc’s rotating presidency.

In reaction, the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, said it wouldn’t send top officials to a number of informal meetings held in Hungary this year as part of Hungary’s presidency.

The topic of Ukraine aid was discussed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Orban’s teams during a dinner they held together at the Elysee when Orban was visiting on 22 October, according to a person familiar with the matter. During the official dinner, the two leaders touched on how to deepen their cooperation in energy and defense, according to an aide.

Hungary’s intransigence over funding for Ukraine has already prompted discussions among diplomats on how to shield the aid from a veto. Seven packages totaling €3.5 billion have been approved by the EPF since Russia’s full-scale invasion, as well as €2 billion to supply ammunition.

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. 

We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia’s war against Ukraine and Ukraine’s struggle to build a democratic society.

A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.

Become a Patron!