Eduardo González
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, participated yesterday in Brussels in an Extraordinary European Council that was presumed to be long and complex and that concluded much earlier than expected, after the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, gave in to the rest of the Member States and accept the review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and, therefore, the implementation of aid of 50 billion euros to Ukraine for the next three years.
“This is good news for Spain, for Europe and for the Ukrainian people and the citizens of the free world in general,” said the President of the Government at the press conference after the Council. This new 50 billion euros package for Ukraine, he declared, “will serve to combat Putin’s authoritarianism and protect our democracies.”
Although everything indicated that the Summit would be long, shortly after the start the president of the Council, Charles Michel, reported through social networks that the Twenty-Seven had reached an agreement that “ensures firm, predictable and long-term financing.” deadline for Ukraine.” The MFF had been supported by 26 of the 27 Member States and vetoed by Hungary at the December European Council (the last of the Spanish Presidency).
Orbán has shown a rather fractious attitude towards the war in Ukraine almost from the beginning, sometimes helping to delay the adoption of sanctions against Russia, although without vetoing them. But in the case of the MFP, the Hungarian Prime Minister had been especially belligerent in retaliation for the European Commission’s decision to freeze around 22 billion euros from European recovery funds due to his doubts about the quality of the Rule of law in Hungary.
The revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework ensures firm, predictable and long-term financing for Ukraine, with a package of 50 billion euros (33 billion euros in the form of loans and 17 billion in the form of non-refundable aid) for the period 2024- 2027. As agreed, a precondition for support for Ukraine under the Mechanism is that the country continues to maintain and respect effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system and the rule of law, and ensure respect for human rights.
Furthermore, the European Council will hold a debate each year on the implementation of the Mechanism with a view to providing guidance and, if necessary, the European Council will invite the Commission within two years to submit a proposal for a review in the context of the new MFF.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, yesterday welcomed the agreement and highlighted that “it is very important that the decision was made by the 27 leaders, which once again demonstrates the strong unity of the EU.” “The EU’s continued financial support for Ukraine will strengthen long-term economic and financial stability, which is no less important than military assistance and sanctions on Russia,” he added through the X social network.
Military aid
In addition, European leaders yesterday showed their intention to continue providing “timely, predictable and sustainable” military support to Ukraine “for as long as necessary,” Pedro Sánchez highlighted. This aid will be channeled through the European Peace Support Fund and the Military Assistance Mission of the European Union, as well as through the strengthening of the European defense industry. “We are going to continue providing Ukraine with the necessary material to defend its territory, its institutions and its population against Russian aggression,” said the President of the Government.
At its next session in March 2024, the European Council will return to the issue of security and defense, including the need for Europe to increase its global security and defense preparedness and continue to strengthen its defense technological and industrial base with a view to guarantee a more resilient, innovative and competitive European industry.
