EU leaders on Thursday struck a deal with Viktor Orban to get 50 billion euros in financial aid to Ukraine, overcoming the Hungarian leader's veto with surprising speed at a crunch summit in Brussels.

"All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget," European Council president Charles Michel, who chairs the summit, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine."

The abrupt about-face from Orban on the vitally needed four-year funding package for Kyiv came as after EU leaders offered a possible review of the spending in two years.

Zelensky says aid deal demonstrates 'strong EU unity'                                          

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed a deal reached by the European Union.

"It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity," Zelensky said in a statement on social media, saying the package would "strengthen long-term economic and financial stability" of his country. 

 

                

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