Orban warns of 'catastrophic impact' on Europe's economy ahead of crucial EU summit on Ukraine aid

The EU summit on Thursday, February 1, is planned to allocate 50 billion euros (consisting of 17 billion euros as grants and 33 billion euros in loans) to Ukraine until 2027. Orban, who obstructed the disbursal of EU funds and aid to Kiev in December, reiterated two days before this crucial meeting of European leaders, that "Ukraine is a serious problem for Europe," a situation that persists "even despite the war". According to Orban, the gravity of this issue is underscored by the recent farmer protests across the EU.

"We must tread carefully as Ukraine is a vast country," Orban cautioned during his Tuesday interview with the French weekly "Le Point". He stressed that in his view, strengthening ties with Kiev could "have a massive, catastrophic impact on European economies, especially within the agricultural sector."

In the same article in the French daily, the Hungarian Prime Minister urged the European Commission to "defend European interests against Ukrainians, not Ukrainian interests against European farmers."

The French Press Agency AFP notes that Orban is the sole leader within Europe maintaining close ties with the Kremlin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Source: AFP, "Le Point"