European Union considers new loans and sanctions for Hungary following election

EU Officials Anticipate Progress on Key Dossiers Amid Orban’s Ouster

European Union officials expect significant progress this week on key dossiers related to Ukraine and Israel, following the ouster of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban from office. Orban’s departure has cleared the way for the bloc to move forward with a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine and impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers.

A meeting of diplomats is scheduled for Wednesday, where consensus will be sought on an amendment to the EU’s budget, necessary for the disbursement of the loan. Cyprus, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, has confirmed that this element will be on the agenda.

Ukraine has been in need of financial assistance to maintain its defense against Russia’s invasion. The loan is expected to be agreed upon at the meeting, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that he aims to restore Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline by the end of April.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has expressed support for unblocking the loan and moving forward with a sanctions package against Russia. On Monday, she stated that it was “high time” to take action on this front.

On the Middle East front, the EU will assess whether measures can be taken against Israel, including proposals for sanctions on hardline Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pushed for these measures, which are set to be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

The ouster of Orban, who had previously blocked these initiatives, adds momentum to the process. EU officials will now need to work with Hungary’s new leader, Peter Magyar, who has signaled his willingness to cooperate constructively with the EU.

Source: Al Jazeera