Challenges and blockages in dealing with Ukraine, migration and China: European unity is crumbling

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EUR 38 billion to bail Ukraine out of bankruptcy, another EUR 17 billion for Ukrainian refugees and EUR 15 billion in military aid: it is an impressive list of measures adopted jointly by the 27 EU countries and since the beginning of the war have done. The war in Ukraine was a crucial test of European cohesion, which has survived to this day.

However, it is uncertain whether this will continue. The longer the war lasts, the more difficult it is at the front, the more difficult it is to keep up the billions in aid. The first cracks are already visible, as evidenced by quarrels during the two-day EU summit on Thursday and Friday.

Lots of nuts to crack – hardly any solutions

For example, Hungary has been blocking the next million-dollar aid package for Ukraine for weeks. Austria refuses to give security guarantees to Ukraine. Also Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. What is or is not meant by this remains open even after the EU summit. Meanwhile, countries such as France and Estonia are demanding even more security guarantees for Ukraine.

The Ukraine issue was certainly not the only sticking point at the EU summit. The debate surrounding European asylum reform is at least as thorny. Hungary and Poland still do not want to take in refugees and firmly reject the planned fines. “The way we are dealing with migration is unacceptable,” said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, 60. That is exactly what Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (55) said.

The result: the entire summit stalled as the leaders of France and Germany, and European Council President Charles Michel, negotiated with Hungary and Poland. Shortly after the unsatisfactory end of the debate, Orban’s political director tweeted: “Fierce battle against pro-migration forces in Brussels!” It is therefore not surprising that no consensus could be reached on Friday, several diplomats confirmed to the dpa news agency.

Unity is absolutely necessary

The EU’s China policy was also touched upon in passing. However, according to local observers, little has changed in European attitudes. Here again: there is no common position among member states on how sharply Europe should distance itself from the increasingly aggressive world power.

While EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (64) proposes tougher action towards China, some countries – such as Germany – are still against it. Charles Michel (47), President of the EU Council, is also counting on de-escalation, as has been the case for months.

Once again, the meeting of EU leaders showed that unity looks different. And to overcome with confidence the upcoming hurdles – Ukraine’s accession to the EU, the threat from Russia and China and climate change – unity is actually essential.

Source: Blick