Thousands of tractors stall Brussels summit as farmers voice discontent
Around 1,000 tractors brought Brussels to a standstill on Thursday morning, disrupting an EU summit as farmers vented their frustrations with European policy.
The demonstration, primarily involving Belgian farmers according to police, reflects growing disquiet across the bloc (AFP via Agerpres).
Environmental regulations, unrestricted market access for Ukrainian produce, and escalating costs fueled by factors like fuel tax hikes and subsidy cuts have sparked widespread farmer discontent. This comes at a crucial moment for the EU, with leaders currently deliberating a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine over the next four years.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has thrown a wrench into the works, voicing opposition to the four-year timeframe and linking his approval to the release of frozen EU funds for Hungary, amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power. Unanimous support from member states is required for EU budget decisions, making Orban's stance a potential roadblock.
While Orban advocates for annual approvals for Ukrainian aid, other EU leaders have vowed to explore alternative solutions to ensure continued financial support for Ukraine, even if they fail to convince their Hungarian counterpart.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
