Member States They are more and more frustrated The attitude of the right -wing Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, who threatens to torpedoes sharper sanctions against Russian energy, block the efforts of Ukraine for membership in the EU and opposes the transfer of this war -covered country of EUR 140 billion (PLN 596 billion) from frozen Russian assets.
These issues occupied a central place during the informal summit of the European Union in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Leaders discussed, among others over a change in voting rules that would allow Orban's veto to break.
In this situation, a commission she firmly objected to release A significant part of EUR 18 billion (76 billion 655 million) EU funds, which she suspended for Hungary because of violations of academic freedom and minority rights, as well as other irregularities.
As an alternative solution, the Hungarian government proposed to transfer EUR 545 million (2 billion 321 million) from university programs to “strategic” industrial projects, but this plan was not fully accepted by Brussels.
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– We do not pay any funds until horizontal preliminary conditions are met, And for now they have not been fulfilled – said committee spokesman Maciej Bereststecki, referring to the general conditions that Member States must meet to receive EU funds.
EU tender balance
Nevertheless, the EU executive authorities decided to release EUR 163.5 million (PLN 696 million) from EUR 545 million (2 billion 321 million) in the form of advances.
In this case, the commission was bound by its own rules, which oblige it to allocate 30 percent. total funds for strategic projects, including critical infrastructure and biotechnology.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Copenhagen in Denmark, October 1, 2025.EPA / MADS CLAUS Rasmussen / PAP
Paying the entire amount would probably cause the European Parliament and EU capitals – especially those in Northern Europe, which are the most annoyed by Orban's pranks.
Considering the repetitive threats of Hungary that they will use their right of veto to block some of the greatest EU initiatives, freezing most funds gives Brussels a greater bargaining force In order to obtain concessions in strategic matters – explained the commission official familiar with the case that was ensured by anonymity.
Budapest is not inferior
The official reason why the Commission froze most of EUR 545 million (2 billion 321 million PLN) is the fear that Hungary can still transfer these funds to universities.
The committee called Budapest many times to restore academic freedoms to unlock the flow of funds.
“The Commission decided that horizontal conditions enabling these goals can be met only if universities managed by the so -called state -owned funds of the public interest would be clearly excluded from these new priorities or when issues raised in the past are resolved by a commission regarding confidative funds of public interest,” wrote Berestecki in a statement.
The conclusion of Hungary is preceded by an intra -resident reorganization of regional funds, which facilitates the transfer of funds between different areas of politics.
Critics say Budapest will use this gapto try to unlock other funds in the future.
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