EU ready to play hardball with Hungary over blocked Ukraine aid

European Union leaders are ready to play hardball with Hungary if Prime Minister Viktor Orban should continue to block a €50 billion ($54.5 billion) support package for Ukraine at an extraordinary summit next week, people familiar with the preparations said.

Hungary on Monday opposed a bid within the bloc to create a new fund to ensure a more reliable way of delivering crucial military aid to Ukraine. The move comes after Orban torpedoed a joint European decision on the four-year financial package for Ukraine in mid-December.