Hungary refuses to send €1.5 million to Ukraine

Hungary redirects €1.5 million to Lebanon instead of Ukraine

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary Peter Siyarto said that the government of the country donates €1.5 million to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, The Russian government refused to use these funds to help Ukraine.

Details of the application

According to Siyarto:

• «Hungary's national security interests are peace in the Middle East».

• «We will not use our share of the European Peace Fund to arm Ukraine.».

• Instead, the funds will go to support for the Lebanese army.

Thus, Hungary is effectively blocking participation in the financing of the European defence package for Kyiv.

Context.

Hungary has long refused to support the EU's joint defence initiatives on Ukraine:

• Budapest has previously blocked the disbursement of tranches from the European Peace Foundation,

• opposed sanctions against Russia,

• criticised Kyiv's military support.

This decision further exacerbates the debate in the EU about unity in assisting Ukraine.