All 27 EU member states will agree to jointly expand financial assistance to Ukraine and provide a package of 50 billion euros from the EU budget in 2024-2027. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to Reuters.


Despite this, Hungary has expressed resistance to the aid agreement, which increases the likelihood that the other 26 countries will agree to provide funds to Ukraine under separate bilateral agreements with Kyiv.


Nevertheless, Ursula von der Leyen said in the European Parliament: "I am confident that we will find a solution by 2027."


In December, EU leaders agreed to start accession talks with Ukraine, but Hungary vetoed a €50 billion aid package for Kyiv.


All 27 national leaders of the bloc will meet again in Brussels on February 1 to try to agree on more financial aid for Kyiv, which is largely dependent on Western support to defend itself against Russian troops that invaded almost two years ago.


The European Commission has proposed expanding support by revising the EU's overall budget, which would also provide more funding for migration and other priorities.


However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has refused to approve aid through the European Commission's general budget, forcing the other 26 countries to consider acting without Budapest.


The prospect that the 26 countries will provide aid to Ukraine under separate bilateral agreements with Kyiv is one of the alternatives under discussion. This approach is seen as more complicated and costly than using the EU budget, and also damaging to the unity of the bloc.