Hungary blocks EU leaders’ statement pledging support for Ukraine

A statement pledging “unwavering” support for Ukraine from the entire EU was blocked by Hungary, according to two diplomats.

The statement was prepared by the office of the European Council president, Charles Michel, who on Friday afternoon sent an email to member countries, seen by POLITICO, saying that “in the absence of a consensus” among EU leaders, the statement was instead going to be sent in the names of Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola. That version of the statement was released Friday afternoon.

Hungary blocked the statement, according to the two diplomats who were granted anonymity to candidly discuss a sensitive topic, with one of them adding that a neutral EU country had doubts about the language used on defense, specifically about missiles, and was also critical that the EU institutions have largely been silent on the Middle East. The three militarily neutral countries in the EU are Austria, Ireland and Malta.

In their statement, the three presidents promise that the EU “will continue its strong and unwavering political, military, financial, economic, diplomatic and humanitarian support to help Ukraine defend itself, protect its people, its cities and its critical infrastructure, restore its territorial integrity, bring back the thousands of deported children, and bring the war to an end. ”

The bloc has also “decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and will help it on its path towards EU membership.” The three EU chiefs also promise that the bloc “will continue to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, including deliveries of urgently needed ammunition and missiles. “

A Hungarian official didn’t reply to a request for comment by the time of publication.