EU summit agrees €50 billion aid for Ukraine despite Hungary's veto threat

European Union leaders unanimously agreed on Thursday to extend 50 billion euros in aid to Ukraine, the chairman of the summit said, overcoming weeks of resistance from Hungary.

As doubts swirl over future support from Ukraine's other major ally the United States, the European Union deal is a huge boost for Kyiv as Russia's war nears the start of its third year.

"We have a deal. Unity," said European Council President Charles Michel in a post on X. "All 27 leaders agreed on an additional 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine within the EU budget."

The announcement came despite staunch objections from Hungary in December and in the days leading up to Thursday's summit in Brussels.

It was not immediately clear if any concessions were made to secure Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's approval.

Michel said that the move “locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine,” and demonstrates that the “EU is taking leadership and responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is at stake.”

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the deal in a social media post, saying the package would "strengthen the long-term economic and financial stability" of his country.

"It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity," Zelensky  wrote on X.

Orban – Russia's closest ally in the EU – sparked fury from his 26 counterparts in the bloc by thwarting a December deal on the aid. 

Thursday's talks were expected again to see hours of protracted political arm-wrestling but a deal was swiftly announced after Orban met first with the leaders of Germany, France, Italy and the EU institutions.

"He gave some ground," said one European diplomat. "He saw that people were growing irritated, that there was a line not to cross."

While there was no suggestion of a direct quid-pro-quo, Orban did win assurances that Brussels would handle the question of Budapest's blocked funds worth 20 billion euros with impartiality, the diplomat said.

The money pledged to Kyiv will plug holes in the Ukrainian government's budget to allow it to pay salaries and services, as its outgunned soldiers battle to hold back Moscow's forces.

Ukraine's economy minister said Kyiv expects to receive the first tranche of 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion) from the EU in March.