The EU agrees on an €18B Ukraine aid package after Hungary drops its opposition.

EU member states have approved plans to provide an €18B aid package for Ukraine in 2023 after Hungary dropped its opposition in return for funding from the EU, reported CNN. Hungary had initially blocked the package last week amid a long-running standoff over EU aid. Brussels had called for EU funds for Hungary to be frozen due to concerns over corruption and insufficient reforms to strengthen the rule of law. However, on Monday evening, the EU struck a deal with Hungary. Under the new agreement, Brussels will give Budapest $6.1B in grants to enable Hungary to foster its economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and finance green and digital transitions. It will still freeze some funds, around $6.9B, but that is less than the nearly $8B the EU had planned to suspend.