**Hungary Blocks EU Military Aid to Ukraine**
The foreign minister of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski, criticized Hungary on November 18 for blocking military aid from the European Union (EU) to Ukraine. This move is seen as supporting Russian aggression in the conflict.
For over a year, Budapest has been holding up the distribution of aid to Kyiv through the EU’s European Peace Facility (EPF). This has caused frustration among other EU member states. Sikorski expressed his concern at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on November 18.
“Why does Hungary not want to help Ukraine?” Sikorski asked reporters. “Ukraine is fighting for freedom, and we want to assist the aggressor?”
The meeting did not reach an agreement on releasing EPF funds to Ukraine. Sikorski stated that Hungary’s veto continues to block the aid, despite a mechanism being created to prevent Hungarian money from going to help Ukraine.
Sikorski appealed to members of Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS) to work with Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party to convince Prime Minister Viktor Orban to change his position on EPF funds for Ukraine. He also mentioned that he hopes President Andrzej Duda will be more influential in convincing Trump, a friend of Hungarian leader.
The European Peace Facility has been an essential tool for supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities since 2022 but was largely depleted earlier this year as member states disagreed on the best way to replenish it and unlock further cash for Ukraine. The EU approved an additional 5 billion euros for Ukraine in the spring, but Budapest blocked its disbursement.
Orban is considered the most Kremlin-friendly leader among EU leaders and has repeatedly stalled aid to Ukraine while blocking sanctions against Russia.