EU sidesteps Hungary, reassigns Russian assets to Ukraine fund
- This is an unprecedented decision. Hungary will take over the EU presidency from July 1, so time will tell how it will end - says Professor Bogdan Góralczyk in an interview with Wirtualna Polska, commenting on the EU's decision to transfer profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, against Budapest's stance.
The European Union has found a way to bypass Hungary's veto on aid to Ukraine. It concerns the profits from frozen Russian money used to purchase weapons for the defending country. These funds will be transferred to Kyiv as part of a specially created Ukraine Assistance Fund.
To achieve this, a particular legal procedure was applied. According to it, Hungary cannot decide on transferring these funds as it abstained from voting on establishing the Fund. In the first tranche alone, at least CAD 1.7 billion is available for ammunition and air defence.
- This is an unprecedented decision - says Professor Bogdan Góralczyk to Wirtualna Polska. The former ambassador to Asian countries and diplomat in Hungary doubts whether this mechanism will prove effective. He emphasizes that Budapest is vehemently opposed to this decision and is looking for ways to challenge the EU member states' decision.
Expert: The decision regarding Hungary is delayed
If these decisions are implemented, Hungary will indeed be "defeated," but Minister Szijjarto's statement shows that Budapest is exceptionally "combative," says Professor Góralczyk. The political scientist quotes Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who said that "never before has there been such a shameless violation and disregard for common European principles."
The expert believes that the decision regarding Hungary is delayed, and the timing of taking such decisions is unfavourable for at least two reasons. - We are after the elections; the European Commission is in a state of suspension - it's only on paper. Hungary will take over the chairmanship of the presidency of the European Union from July 1. I suspect Viktor Orban will want to exploit this situation. I think he will do everything to gain something for himself again. This complicates the situation - assesses Professor Bogdan Góralczyk.
