Orbán’s decision to approve $54 billion EU aid deal for Ukraine signals a shift in Hungary’s stance

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re discussing the European Union aid package for Ukraine, U.S. sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and revelations of a U.S. spying operation in Venezuela. Sign up to receive World Brief in your inbox every weekday.
The European Union unanimously approved $54 billion in new aid to Ukraine, overcoming opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Following the approval, nearly $4.9 billion will be sent to Kyiv next month. Orban, who is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, initially blocked the EU from providing Ukraine additional funds. However, after receiving assurances, he ultimately caved and agreed to the aid package. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision, saying it will enable long-term economic stability and growth for the country.
In a separate development, U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order to enable the State and Treasury departments to sanction Israeli settlers involved in attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. This order comes as the State Department reportedly examines policy options for possible U.S. and international recognition of a Palestinian state. This action has been met with opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who refuses to relinquish Israeli control over the West Bank and Gaza.
Furthermore, a leaked U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency memo detailed how Washington sent undercover operatives to Venezuela to secretly record and build drug-trafficking cases against the country’s leaders. Caracas has threatened to stop accepting U.S. deportation flights unless Biden reverses his decision to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.
A politically charged arrest also made headlines as Indian opposition leader Hemant Soren petitioned the nation’s Supreme Court over his alleged unlawful arrest. Soren was accused of benefiting from land fraud, with fellow opposition members claiming the arrest was politically motivated.
Meanwhile, European farmers protested outside the European Parliament building in Brussels, demanding relief from rising prices and criticizing bureaucracy, taxes, and unfair foreign competition.
Finally, in a lighter news story, the escaped Japanese macaque in the Scottish Highlands has been found after four days on the run and returned to Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie.