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No certainty in Brussels EU will begin membership talks with Ukraine on December 14-15

According to the diplomat, a "very difficult summit" is expected because of two unresolved issues: the beginning of negotiations with Kiev and the negotiation of amendments to multi-year EU budget, which will make it possible to allocate 50 billion euros to Ukraine for the next four years

BRUSSELS, December 12. /TASS/. There is no certainty in Brussels that EU leaders will be able to agree on the issue of negotiations with Kiev on Ukraine’s EU membership during the December 14-15 summit because of the position of Hungary, who considers such decision premature and unprepared, a high-ranking EU representative told reporters in Brussels.

"A 100% unanimity is necessary for such decision. I cannot tell if that would be possible. The pressure will be huge," he said.

According to the diplomat, a "very difficult summit" is expected because of two unresolved issues: the beginning of negotiations with Kiev and the negotiation of amendments to multi-year EU budget, which will make it possible to allocate 50 billion euros to Ukraine for the next four years. Hungary opposes both points, believing that Ukraine is not ready to begin membership negotiations and that such decision would be an irresponsible step from Brussels.

"There were many meetings and discussions with [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orban, both with European Council President [Charles Michel] and with other leaders. We stay in constant contact with the Hungarian delegation in order to find a solution. The work will continue until the summit itself," the diplomat said.

Answering a question from reporters if the decision on the beginning of negotiations with Ukraine could be postpones, the official said that the decision must be made in December, acknowledging that the two-day EU summit could be prolonged in order to find a solution.

Previously, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban proposed not to include the issue of negotiations with Ukraine on its accession to the EU into the summit agenda, because Ukraine is not ready for that. In addition, the Prime Minister opposed the amendments to the EU budget that would increase the aid to Ukraine by 50 billion euros within the next four years.

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