European Council President, Charles Michel has expressed confidence in EU offering financial support to Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference after the EU leaders’ summit, Michel averred, “I’m extremely confident and optimistic that we’ll be in a position to fulfil on our promises to support Ukraine with financial means.”
This came as Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban blocked a €50bn EU aid package for Ukraine.
European Council President noted, “We are absolutely convinced that enlargement is investment in peace, in security, and in prosperity.”
“This is a very powerful political message that we send to our European citizens and that we send to the citizens of the candidate countries and to the rest of the world,” Michel added.
He also noted that 26 member states out of the 27 supported a proposed budget revision and that a special summit will be held next year to try to bring everyone on board.
The proposal on the table is “very well balanced,” he said, noting that it shows the commitment to support Ukraine, and takes into account priorities such as migration and defence.
When asked about how the bloc plans to get Hungary on board with giving Ukraine extra funding, Michel said, “We are determined to use all the possible arguments, and we’ll engage – with respect.”
He added “We know that getting a united decision is always challenging, but it’s an important decision that we need to make.”
Meanwhile, French President, Emmanuel Macron said that he expects Orban to approve the Ukraine financial aid package in the new year.
Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of Ireland, said that funding “will continue to flow” to Ukraine despite the decision by Viktor Orbán to block a decision to approve a €50bn aid package for the next four years.
“It’s not a disaster in the sense that we can now roll over the loans to Ukraine,” Varadhar added.
“The money will continue to flow to Ukraine for the next couple of months. And hopefully when we come back here in January or February we’ll be able to agree a package of financial support for Ukraine.”
Leo Varadhar
Michel Addresses Israel-Hamas War
Michel also addressed the leaders’ discussion on the situation in the Middle East.
He stated that the European Union needs to be committed and involved, as far as possible, in trying to have an impact in ongoing war.
“There is strong unity around the guarantee of security for Israel. Israel has the right to its security, it has the right to exist. And that’s why on repeated occasions we have continued to condemn Hamas’s terrorist attacks and the choice of Hamas to use civilians as human shields.
“We urge and call upon Hamas to release unconditionally the remaining hostages – immediately.”
Charles Michel
“We also repeat that the right to defend itself in Israel has to be carried out in compliance with international law,” he stated.
“We reiterate again also that humanitarian support and aid must be guaranteed,” he added.
Michel admitted that among the members of the European Council, there are different feelings and sentiments about the idea of a pause, a humanitarian pause, supported by others, and a humanitarian ceasefire, supported by others.
“But the essential points, I think, are linked to two points: joint commitment to further support and offer support on humanitarian aid, and to ensure that humanitarian access for aid is open … Another essential point is not just to reiterate the traditional standpoint of the EU, but its commitment to the political process for a two-state solution.
“And that means that the European Union countries have to work in an accelerated way to build upon this.”
Charles Michel
READ ALSO: Sullivan Says Control of Gaza Must Transition To Palestinians
