Ukraine has seen a new wave of support from the EU since Budapest lifted its vetoes on several initiatives, ranging from the opening of formal accession talks to the adoption of a €90-billion ($104.5-billion) loan for Kiev.
On Friday, EU leaders are due to focus their attention on the bloc's next long-term budget for 2028 to 2034, which is currently in the range of €1 trillion to €2 trillion.
Leaders face the challenge of financing the EU’s ever-growing financial and investment needs while many capitals are constrained by tight budgets after years of successive crises.
EU member states and the European Parliament are under pressure to reach an agreement by the end of this year to allow sufficient time for the budget’s implementation.
