Hungary Lifts Veto, Clearing Way for €20 Million EU Military Aid to Armenia After Three Years

Hungary Ends Blockade on European Peace Facility Aid

For nearly three years, Hungary’s veto stood between Armenia and a new tranche of support from the European Union’s European Peace Facility (EPF). That deadlock is now broken. Hungary lifted its objection this week to a proposed €20 million military assistance package intended for Armenia, according to Rikard Jozwiak, Europe editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, writing on the social platform X. Final formal approval of the measure is expected in January 2026.

Budapest’s resistance to the package had been clear. Hungarian officials argued previously that any increased support for Armenia should be matched with equivalent aid to Azerbaijan, reflecting broader political tensions and Budapest’s longstanding ties with Baku. The stalemate held up the EPF assistance following Armenia’s renewed request earlier in 2025.

Ani Badalyan and the EU Political Consensus

Ani Badalyan, the spokeswoman for the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that all 27 EU member states have now reached a political agreement to provide assistance to Armenia via the EPF. The consensus reflects a shift in attitude within the bloc after years of negotiation and pressure from EU partners to move forward with broad-based support for Armenia’s security needs.

Badalyan has been a visible voice for Armenia on the international stage in 2025, regularly briefing media and diplomatic interlocutors on foreign policy priorities and regional tensions. In addition to the EPF discussions, she has defended Armenia’s positions on ceasefire issues and peace negotiations with Azerbaijan in multiple press exchanges.

Political Context Ahead of 2026 Elections

The timing of the EU decision intersects with Armenia’s preparation for parliamentary elections in June 2026. As European institutions deepen cooperation with Yerevan, questions are emerging domestically about how external support may influence political dynamics. Some commentators argue that EU assistance could be framed by opponents as external intervention in Armenia’s internal affairs, particularly given heightened political sensitivity ahead of the vote.

At present, there is no credible information from international or Armenian sources indicating that Ani Badalyan herself is a candidate in Armenia’s upcoming 2026 elections or that she is competing against specific political contenders. Badalyan’s role remains in the diplomatic and communicative sphere as the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, rather than as an electoral figure. While Armenian politics includes a wide field of parties and competitors gearing up for the June 2026 vote, no major reporting has linked Badalyan to candidacy filings or party leadership roles at this stage.

What Comes Next for Armenia-EU Security Ties

With the Hungarian veto lifted, the technical process now shifts to formal EU institutional approval early in 2026. If ratified, the €20 million package will supplement earlier support Armenia received under the EPF, including €10 million in 2024 for modular field infrastructure and medical facilities. The expanded assistance reflects a broader EU interest in balancing security cooperation in the South Caucasus while navigating complex relations with Russia, Turkey, and neighboring states.

As Armenia engages with the EU on multiple fronts—from hybrid threat mitigation to economic ties—this moment may signal a deeper integration of European strategic support into Yerevan’s security calculus.

The lifting of the veto is not just a diplomatic footnote. It is a tangible point of alignment between Armenia and the European Union at a moment of regional uncertainty and internal political transition. The decision underscores how geopolitical patience and persistent negotiation can, over time, reshape the contours of international support even when earlier obstacles seemed immovable.