The European Union executive has given approval for the release of 900 million euros ($982 million) in advance payments to Hungary from its previously frozen share of the recovery fund. This move is an attempt to navigate around Hungary’s obstruction of aid to Ukraine. Hungary’s access to the EU’s economic stimulus was suspended earlier due to concerns about corruption and violations of democratic principles during Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s term. In response, Orban sent a letter to European Council President Charles Michel demanding a review of the strategy for supporting Ukraine, threatening to block new tranches and Ukraine’s future EU accession. Hungary had previously threatened to impede a planned 50 billion euros ($54.5 billion) in aid to Ukraine, 500 million euros ($545 million) in military aid, and the initiation of negotiations on Kyiv’s EU accession. Despite tensions, the European Commission recommended on Nov. 8 to start negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova’s EU accession. Ukrainian officials express readiness to compromise with Hungary, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy downplays Hungary’s stance on Ukraine’s EU accession as not a global problem.

Read more at the New Voice of Ukraine.