In particular, Meloni wants Orban to change his position on Ukraine’s EU aspirations.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is trying to reach an agreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban so that he does not block the decision to support Ukraine in the EU and improve relations with President Vladimir Zelensky.
According to Bloomberg, an Italian official proposes that Orban’s Fidesz party join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) association. This proposal was made on the eve of the European Parliament elections. For this to happen, however, Meloni wants Orban to change his position on Ukraine’s EU aspirations.
“A shift on these issues could pave the way for Orban’s Fidesz party to join the far-right political party European Conservatives and Reformists, along with Meloni’s Italian Brothers, Poland’s Law and Justice party and the Sweden Democrats. This would strengthen the pan-European party ECR ahead of European Parliament elections this summer, in which far-right groups are expected to make gains.”
It is noted that the ECR now has 62 mandates in the European Parliament, or 8.26%.
According to the publication, discussions on this issue between representatives of the leaders of Italy and Hungary “took place at different levels.” However, no decision was ever made.
Hungary blocking aid to Ukraine
In December 2023, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed €50 billion in EU aid to Ukraine.
Subsequently, it became known that the European Commission is preparing an alternative aid package for Ukraine in the event that during the summit on February 1, the EU countries fail to approve a four-year support program for Ukraine worth 50 billion euros. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that despite this, achieving agreement among all 27 EU member states still remains a priority.
