Thread by @europressos

NOW: Hungary keeps blocking 18bn package for Ukraine
Experts (EFC) will work now to find 'Plan B' to release some funds for Kyiv in Jan. without amending EU budget rules (using headroom of budget vetoed by Budapest).
We'll wrap up this 2022 by having an Orban show next week #EUCO

EU finance ministers also postponed decision on suspension of up to €7.5bn of Hungary’s EU funds. If Orban raises this issue to EUCO, he’d gain more time to keep reducing bill by concluding outstanding measures & using Pillar2/Ukraine as leverage.
Ecofin on 19? (Super tight)

But Orban needs member states’ approval of its €5.8bn recovery fund by end-year or risks losing 70% of the money. Plus markets are looking very closely. So even if he plays the victim role (EC’s disproportionate decision on €7.5bn etc…) he cannot overplay his hand.

EC will present new analysis of HU’s anti-corruption measures by Fri as MS wanted. Coreper will discuss early next week if they support EC’s €7.5bn suspensio -then we’ll see if HU takes issue to EU leaders next Thu.
Our story w @ZoltanSimon10 & @nat_droz
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…