EU Bribes Hungary To Allow Ukraine Accession Talks

Hungary is taking the $10 billion it's owed to allow Ukraine and Moldova to start EU accession talks. [The Rude Awakening] December 15, 2023 [WEBSITE]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( EU Bribes Hungary To Allow Ukraine Accession Talks [Sean Ring] SEAN RING It’s a Happy Friday, especially for Hungary! Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister and bane of the European Union’s existence, got a $10 billion payout from the supranational organization in exchange for allowing Ukraine’s and Moldova’s accession talks to begin. [Moldova] If you never heard of Moldova because the USG hasn’t bombed it yet, it borders southwestern Ukraine. To be fair, the EU owed Hungary this money, but refused to disburse the cash after accusing Hungary of not adhering to EU values. Let’s examine the history of this kerfuffle and then see how Orbán used the EU’s system against it. [You have (1) item on hold at our warehouse:]( Item #: [51987]( Status: On hold Value: Approx. $300 Claim by date: 12/18 at 11:59 PM To see how to claim yours simply [click here]( our Head of Customer Experience will show you what you need to do. [Click Here To Learn More]( The EU Withholds Funds The European Union initially withheld about €22 billion in EU cohesion funds from Hungary due to concerns over the country's adherence to EU regulations and standards, specifically related to the rule of law and democratic norms. Cohesion funds are intended to assist poorer EU member countries in investing in their economies. They are mainly paid as reimbursements for money spent by national governments on domestic programs aimed at increasing living standards. The EU's executive body required Hungary, under the leadership of its Euroskeptic government headed by Viktor Orbán, to implement a series of reforms linked to the protection of human rights and the rule of law to access these funds. By May, the Hungarian authorities had adopted some measures to strengthen the independence of its judiciary, addressing some, but not all, of the Commission's demands. This progress opened the possibility of unfreezing a portion of the cash. However, about €11.7 billion of the total funds remained frozen. Of this, €6.3 billion was blocked due to issues related to the awarding of public contracts under the conditionality mechanism, a legal tool that allows Brussels to withhold EU funding if a country is found to be backsliding on democratic norms. An additional €2.6 billion was being withheld due to ongoing disputes between Orbán and Brussels over restrictions on academic freedoms, a "child protection" law widely viewed as homophobic, and the treatment of asylum seekers. Hungary was also waiting to access €10.4 billion in grants and cheap loans from the EU’s post-pandemic recovery fund, which required the completion of 27 conditions, including new judicial reforms and adherence to 21 anti-corruption conditions and two linked to auditing. The decision to withhold these funds came at a critical time, as Orbán was perceived to be leveraging his position ahead of a crucial European Council meeting. This meeting was set to make historic decisions on various issues, including the potential opening of negotiations to bring Ukraine into the EU and a significant budget deal to support Ukraine's economy. Some EU countries viewed Hungary's stance as a tactic to secure more funding from the European Commission. However, capitulating to Orbán's demands could have undermined the EU's long-term integrity and infuriated the European Parliament ahead of future EU elections and top EU job allocations. Well, I certainly hope so. Hungary Holding EU Hostage? According to [Politico]( However, most of the unfrozen money will not immediately be available, another EU official stressed, as the funds will be rolled out gradually, and Hungary first needs to submit detailed plans for the projects it wants to fund with EU money. “So far, we have received cost claims in the order of €500 million and … this is what we could expect to be paid in the weeks to come,” the official said, adding the rest of the money would become reimbursable “over the next years to come.” Politico continues: The decision comes as Orbán is holding the other 26 EU countries hostage ahead of a key European Council meeting in Brussels. EU leaders are set to make a historic decision on opening negotiations to bring Ukraine into the club and seal a key budget deal that would throw a €50 billion lifeline to Kyiv’s flailing war economy. Orbán is threatening to derail the entire summit. Unanimity is a bitch, isn’t it? Quid Pro Quo Ultimately, Orbán got his money, and Ukraine and Moldova got the green light. America was ecstatic. "We welcome the EU's historic decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, a crucial step toward fulfilling their Euro-Atlantic aspirations," said Jake “The Snake” Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor. European Council President Charles Michel labeled it "A clear signal of hope for their people and our continent." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky touted the vote as "a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe." The recently returned Polish PM, Donald Tusk, gushed, “Dear Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we did it! I dedicate today’s decision on enlargement to your heroes who gave their lives for an independent and European Ukraine." MEP Philippe Lamberts, co-president of the Greens group in the European Parliament, said, "EU leaders have avoided the worst possible outcome and managed to show support to Ukraine by opening accession talks. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has backed down from his threats of a veto over Ukraine. However, if this is the result of a €10bn bribe, then this is an unacceptable way for the EU to do business." Don’t make me laugh, Philippe! That’s how Europe has always done business. But of course, Viktor Orbán wouldn’t crow about the money; he released this statement through his political Balazs Orbán (no relation): [Tweet] Credit: [@BalazsOrban_HU]( In essence, Hungary didn’t agree but couldn’t stop it. So they took their money and abstained from the vote, knowing it would take decades, if ever, for Ukraine and Moldova to get into the EU. I call that smart politics. Wrap Up Like all empires, the EU must expand or die. Taking Ukraine and Moldova from Russia’s sphere of influence is perceived as an intelligent move. But it’s just poking the bear. As the West reels from its now-known defeat in Ukraine, this vote is small consolation. America uses the EU to poke Russia in the eye, and Europe thinks it’s scored a victory over Moscow. Meanwhile, the Russian War Machine grinds the Ukrainian Armed Forces slowly. Have a wonderful weekend. All the best, [Sean Ring] Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening X (formerly Twitter): [@seaniechaos]( In Case You Missed It… Debt Is Crushing Us [Sean Ring] SEAN RING Good Morning Reader, Yesterday evening Eastern Time, the Paradigm Press 7 Predictions Summit was live on Zoom and YouTube. I hope you joined us. Seeing my friends and colleagues and conversing with our incredibly loyal and charitable viewers was an absolute blast. To think people would stay with us for four hours delights me to the core. Of course, of the over 7,000 people on the call, most wanted to hear what Jim Rickards, James Altucher, Byron King, Zach Scheidt, Ray Blanco, and Greg Guenthner were predicting. Even an AI version of Alan Knuckman put in his four cents. 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