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European Union leaders unanimously agreed on Thursday to extend 50 billion euros in aid to Ukraine, the chairman of the summit said, overcoming weeks of resistance from Hungary.
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“We have a deal. Unity,” said European Council President Charles Michel in a post on X. “All 27 leaders agreed on an additional 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine within the EU budget.”
The announcement came despite staunch objections from Hungary in December and in the days leading up to Thursday’s summit in Brussels.
It was not immediately clear if any concessions were made to secure Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s approval.
We have a deal. #Unity
All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget.
This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for #Ukraine.
EU is taking leadership & responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is…
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 1, 2024
Michel said that the move “locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine,” and demonstrates that the “EU is taking leadership and responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is at stake.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the deal in a social media post, saying the package would “strengthen the long-term economic and financial stability” of his country.
“It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Grateful to @CharlesMichel and EU leaders for establishing the €50 billion Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027.
It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity.
Continued EU financial support for Ukraine will strengthen…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 1, 2024
Ukraine’s economy minister said Kyiv expects to receive the first tranche of 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion) from the EU in March.
Almost two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war has ground to a halt and Ukraine’s economy desperately needs propping up. But political infighting in the EU and in the United States has held up a long-term source of funding.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, Reuters)
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