Trump vowed 'not to give a penny' to Ukraine, Orban says
2 Min Read
Trump convened with Orban on March 8 at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss several topics of mutual interest concerning Hungary and the US.
-
Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump before their meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on 8 March. (@PM_ViktorOrban)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday said that former US President Donald Trump vowed not to provide financial assistance to Ukraine if elected this fall, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
Trump convened with Orban on March 8 at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss several topics of mutual interest concerning Hungary and the US.
"If the Americans do not give weapons and money, and the Europeans follow them, then the war will end. If the Americans do not give money, then the Europeans are not able to finance this war themselves, and then it will end," he said.
"Trump is not president now, but his party interferes when the Democrats want to send money to the war. Trump said that if he returns, he will not do this, [he will] not [allocate] a penny. And then this war will end," Orban added in an interview with Hungarian broadcaster M1.
Trump and Orban, longstanding allies with aligned conservative ideologies, have openly conveyed mutual admiration and assistance. Orban has backed Trump both during the US presidential election and amid the legal hurdles he encounters.
Thank you for the invitation and the kind words, President @realDonaldTrump ! pic.twitter.com/YuroGK0yHy
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 9, 2024
Read more: Trump challenges Biden to debate 'anytime, anywhere, anyplace'
Earlier today, the State Department announced that President Joe Biden has released his budget request worth $7.266 trillion for fiscal year 2025, which includes $482 million in funds to Ukraine.
"The $482 million requested for Ukraine, along with the National Security Supplemental Request, will assist with Ukraine’s economic recovery, bolster Ukraine’s resilience and ability to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion, and ensure progress toward reforms needed for Ukraine’s EU accession," the State Department release further read.
The funding allocated to Ukraine includes $250 million for economic and development assistance, $95 million for security assistance, $71 million for health programs, and $66 million for other security activities, as stated in the release.
The last spending bill, which was passed in Congress on Saturday did not include any funds for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously warned that a reduction in aid from the US would convey a "bad signal" to Kiev in light of the continued blockade of aid by Republicans.
