Ukraine's Bumpy Week With NATO Allies

Hungary's blocking of a European Union aid package for Ukraine to help it fight Russian aggression has topped a mixed week of news for Kyiv regarding support from NATO members.

On Friday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Vladimir Putin's closest ally in the bloc, vetoed a €50 billion ($55 billion) EU aid package for Kyiv, postponing discussions on further Brussels assistance for Ukraine until January 2024.

However, only hours earlier, Kyiv did get the boost that the EU had agreed to accession talks to the bloc—along with Moldova and candidate status for Georgia, after Orbán in effect abstained from a vote that required unanimity.

While Orbán later said he did not want to see Ukraine in the EU, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the decision was a "victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens."

Two days earlier, Zelensky had a fruitful visit to Oslo to drum up support from allies. During the trip, Norway pledged additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems NASAMS air-defense equipment totaling $30.5 million.

Some will be donated from Norway´s own storage to ensure fast delivery, while additional systems will be ordered from the industry for later delivery, the Norwegian government said in a statement. Oslo says these will be important in strengthening air defenses against Russian attacks in winter.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced a five-year $6.8 billion aid package. It included $91 million to increase Norway's ammunition and missile production under an EU plan to restore stockpiles.

However, expectations were low amid Zelensky's visit to leaders in Washington DC this week when he pushed for $61 billion in aid that had been sidelined by a standoff over U.S. border policy.

During their meeting, President Joe Biden said, "I will not walk away from Ukraine." He announced his approval on the latest round of military assistance, valued at $200 million, which includes critically needed air-defense interceptors, artillery and ammunition, but it fell short of Kyiv's expectations.

However, congressional Republicans say they will only support Ukraine aid if it is tied to sweeping immigration reform. Biden and his Democrats are willing to spend more on border security, but see Republican demands as unacceptable.

Mykola Murskyj, director of advocacy at Razom for Ukraine, a U.S. nonprofit, called on members of Congress to back funding for Kyiv.

"While we don't yet know all the specifics of a potential agreement, what is clear is that failing to reach a deal will mean Ukraine won't have the ammunition needed to fend off Russian attacks," Murskyj said in a statement emailed to Newsweek.

"America turning its back on Ukraine would result in needless suffering and death. Leaving Ukraine out in the cold this winter is not an option," Murskyj added.

On a more positive note, there appears to be an easing of a dispute that started on November 6. Truck drivers from Poland and fellow NATO member Slovakia blockaded the border in a spat over complaints that Ukrainian imports reduced the competitiveness of their transported goods.

Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on December 11 that the blockade at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk crossing on the Polish-Ukrainian border has been lifted.

On Thursday, Slovak truckers started to let a limited number of lorries to cross into Slovakia from Ukraine, the Slovak hauliers' association UNAS said.

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