EU cannot allow “slowest ones” to dominate – EPP President on Ukraine financing debate

That’s according to MEP Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party, who commented on the issue for Ukrinform.

Commenting on the multi-year budget debate, Weber said that member states “continue to talk”, trying “to convince and to argue” with those opposing the decision on providing financial assistance to Ukraine. He also noted the ongoing efforts by Ukrainian politicians to engage with officials in Slovakia and Hungary, trying to convince them to change their stance.

“The architecture of Europe is as it is,” Weber said, noting that veto power is in place on issues raised at the European Council level, such as finances and enlargement.

Still, Manfred Weber stands firm in his belief that next week, European leaders have “no option to fail”.

However, if certain forces keep standing in the way of passing the right decision in favor of Ukraine funding, the EU needs “plan B”, Weber stressed.

“That’s not what we want to see – we want to keep Europe together,” he said, adding that the bloc cannot allow “the slowest ones to dominate the European Union”.

He also admitted that the joint effort to convince opposition must pace up as the European Union is under time pressure given the upcoming elections.

At the same time, Weber noted that, from a historic point of view, the fact that the EU reached an agreement on launching accession talks with Ukraine is a “huge” success, adding that he hopes this gave the Ukrainians the assurance that they have the right to live the same life as other European nations.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is planning to meet with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday to remove obstacles on the path to the implementation of the Ukraine Facility program envisaging EUR 50 billion for Ukraine in 2024-2027.

The EU summit to approve amendments to the multi-year budget for 2024-2027, which include the creation of a EUR 50 billion Ukraine Facility, will take place on February 1.

During the European Council on December 14-15, the leaders of the European countries could not decide on the adoption of amendments to the EU's multi-year budget for 2024-2027. The decision was blocked by Hungary. Slovakian officials also joined Hungary in opposing the proposed move.