Rutte confident of January deal on financial help for Ukraine
Caretaker prime minister Mark Rutte has told reporters he has “confidence” that European leaders will agree on a new package of support for Ukraine in January, following Hungary’s decision to block the deal on Thursday evening.
“We still have some time,” Rutte said. “Ukraine won’t be out of cash in a few weeks.” EU leaders are discussing a €50 billion package for Ukraine, of which €33 billion is in the form of a loan.
The 26 countries which do back the new support package can agree to do it without Hungary but leaders decided not to pursue that option. “It is complicated because you have to make agreements outside EU treaties,” Rutte said.
European leaders did reach agreement on opening accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova. The European Council has also given Georgia, candidate status. That decision was taken while Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban had left the room, temporarily.
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