Hungary Blocks $54 Billion Aid Deal , As EU Opens Door to Membership Talks.<br />On Dec. 14, EU leaders convened in Brussels to authorize <br />$54 billion in aid for Ukraine, but it was not approved <br />because of Hungary, the only member state to object. .<br />We still have some time, Ukraine is not <br />out of money in the next few weeks. I am <br />fairly confident we can get a deal early <br />next year. We are thinking of late January, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, via statement.<br />Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has <br />close ties with Russia, 'The Hill' reports.<br />In October, he had a controversial in-person <br />meeting with President Vladimir Putin.<br />Prior to the aid deal being blocked, the EU <br />officially opened accession talks with Ukraine.<br />Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky <br />called the development a "victory.".<br />This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory <br />for all of Europe. A victory that <br />motivates, inspires and strengthens, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, via X.<br />However, Orbán also objected to beginning <br />accession talks with Ukraine, reportedly trying for <br />hours to get other EU members to vote against it.<br />However, Orbán also objected to beginning <br />accession talks with Ukraine, reportedly trying for <br />hours to get other EU members to vote against it.<br />Later, on Hungarian state radio, Orbán said <br />Hungary could still stop the process if it <br />wanted to, CBS News reports. .<br />Later, on Hungarian state radio, Orbán said <br />Hungary could still stop the process if it <br />wanted to, CBS News reports.
