Hungary opposes billions in new EU aid for Ukraine. A new summit will try to change that

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders at a summit on Thursday will focus on the one member state blocking a 50-billion-euro ($54 billion) war support package for Ukraine: Hungary, the country in the bloc with the closest ties to Russia. Almost two years after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine, the war has ground to a virtual stalemate and Ukraine desperately needs financial assistance. The aid requires unanimous support. But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed it at a previous summit of the 27-member bloc in December and continues to oppose it. Ukraine’s president is expected to deliver a video speech to the summit.