Macron rounds on Orban after Hungary delays 50bn EU aid for Ukraine

Viktor Orban must not be allowed to hold the EU "hostage", Emmanuel Macron has warned, after Viktor Orbán blocked a €50bn (£43bn) EU aid package for Ukraine in the early hours yesterday.

- Lisa O'Carroll Brussels

As leaders of the European Union started working on the details of a plan B to raise the money through cash and loans, the French president said Orbán was being "dishonest" to the public about his reasons for vetoing the financial package, and would ultimately be swayed.

The failure to commit more aid to prop up Ukraine's budget over the next four years dealt a blow to Kyiv, even after the EU took the symbolic step of agreeing to open membership talks. EU leaders will meet again in January or February to try to get the funding package approved by all member states, arguing that Orbán's decision is one of self-harm.

"The question is how we move forward collectively. And for me, the next few months are decisive months for Hungary and for us," said Macron.

Diplomats and EU leaders have made it clear they would prefer the Ukraine fund to come from the central budget, but if not they can find the €50bn, made up of €17bn cash and €33bn in loans for Ukraine, without Orbán.

"I think we can fund Ukraine if we are totally blocked next year," Macron told reporters after the EU summit in Brussels.

Ireland's prime minister said he was a "bit disappointed" they couldn't agree on the budget but "it is not a disaster in the sense that we can now roll over the loans to Ukraine". He added: "The money will continue to flow to Ukraine for the next couple of months and hopefully when we come back here in January or February we'll be able to agree a package of financial support for Ukraine."

 Macron predicted the Hungarians would continue to defend their "legitimate national interests" but expected them to "go beyond posturing", "show responsibility" and "behave like Europeans and not take the political process hostage".