Nato can proceed with plans for expanded military and economic support to Ukraine.
Hungary does not need to participate – and will no longer block.
The announcement comes after Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest.
There is no Nato obligation to participate in all operations or activities. What the Prime Minister and I agreed on today is that Hungary will not block other countries from making a commitment to economic support for Ukraine, and a leading role for Nato in coordinating the support, says Stoltenberg at a press conference in Budapest.
Hungary has received the guarantees we needed. We have a fair deal, says Orbán.
Stoltenberg has advocated for a firm commitment from Nato countries on economic support to Ukraine amounting to at least 40 billion euros per year. He also wants Nato to take over at least parts of the coordination currently handled by the USA regarding military support in the so-called contact group for Ukraine's defence – often referred to as the Ramstein group.
Unclear about Rutte
Hungary has so far said no to both projects, but is now satisfied with the guarantees that it does not need to participate.
No Hungarian personnel will participate in these activities, and no Hungarian funds will be used, explains Stoltenberg.
Whether this also means that Hungary will drop its veto against letting the Netherlands' outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte succeed Stoltenberg as Secretary-General remains unclear.
No questions about Rutte were asked at the press conference – and Stoltenberg is not himself involved in the negotiations about who will take over his job.
Ministerial Meeting
The Nato chief expects the alliance's defence ministers to agree in principle on Ukraine support already during their meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
Discussions are also expected about what he calls a Russian "campaign" of hostile attacks on Nato territory.
This is taking place in the form of sabotage, violence, cyberattacks, and disinformation. Member countries are taking decisive measures, making arrests, and initiating legal proceedings. We are increasing our protection of critical infrastructure, says Stoltenberg at another press conference after returning to Brussels on Wednesday evening.
When Nato's heads of state and government hold their summit in Washington on 10-11 July, support for Ukraine will be at the centre.
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has proposed that member countries make a commitment to long-term economic support to enable Ukraine to build up its military. Figures of around 40 billion euros per year have been mentioned.
Stoltenberg also wants Nato to take over parts of the so-called Ramstein group's coordination of military aid to Ukraine. So far, however, it is only a question of Nato taking over about a quarter of the tasks.
