Jacques Serais // Photo credit: Andrea Savorani Neri / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
Is the union of 27 around aid to Ukraine crumbling? While new aid will be voted on next week in Brussels, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban does not hide his desire to vote against it. Emmanuel Macron receives him this Thursday evening at the Élysée, with the aim of convincing him to remain united with the rest of the member countries.
It’s a last chance dinner. This Thursday evening, the President of the Republic receives the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, at the Élysée. A meeting just a few days before the next European summit in Brussels, where the 27 will decide whether to continue aid to Ukraine or not.
A very angry Viktor Orban against Brussels
An important vote, which Viktor Orban could largely derail. So, this Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron will have a lot to do to convince a Hungarian Prime Minister, very upset against Brussels. For him, at this stage, it is out of the question to validate new budgetary support of 50 billion euros for Ukraine. Also out of the question is opening accession negotiations for kyiv within the European Union.
The Hungarian Prime Minister sent two successive letters to Charles Michel, the President of the European Council. “The lack of consensus would inevitably lead to failure,” believes the Hungarian leader. A barely veiled threat to derail everything, because in Brussels, the unanimity of the 27 member states is required.
A dinner that will leave a bitter taste in Emmanuel Macron?
His vote is therefore essential to allow the EU to show a united face against Russia. For Emmanuel Macron, this is the whole point of this nocturnal meeting. However, this working dinner could leave a bitter taste for the head of state.
But once again, Emmanuel Macron wants to risk it and try to demonstrate, to other European leaders, his power of influence.