The European Commission is ready to concede some of Hungary's demands in order to secure a €50 billion to Ukraine, The Financial Times reports.
The publication cites sources as saying that Brussels has been trying to find a solution to the Hungarian blockade since Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed the EU package in December.
The problem becomes even more urgent given that the deadlock in the US Congress means that Washington's support for Kyiv is uncertain, while Russia is stepping up its air strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Three officials with knowledge of the matter said that as a way to persuade Orban to override his veto, the European Commission is prepared to give the Hungarian Prime Minister the option of stopping the financing deal midway in 2025.
Under a potential concession, the EU would include a review of the four-year support package next year, when it will assess whether Ukraine needs the money and has fulfilled the requirements for EU aid. This will give Orban the opportunity to veto its extension.
The European Commission is also ready to conduct an annual audit of the aid and introduce an "emergency brake" clause, according to which any country can raise serious concerns about payments to Ukraine for discussion at the EU leaders' summit. However, this will not give Hungary an additional opportunity to veto the funding.
Asked whether this would be enough to make Orban override his veto, a senior Hungarian official said: "It is not clear yet, but most likely yes."
