The Pushmi-Pullyu is a two-headed animal from Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle books but perfectly describes the relationship between the EU and Hungary - one minute the EU pushing Hungary away, the next pulling them back into the fold with monetary grants - usually when they need their support for some decision involving Ukraine. 

According to the Financial Times, the European Commission is preparing to release more than half a billion euros in frozen funds for Hungary, as it seeks to overcome Budapest’s veto on the bloc’s latest package of sanctions against Russia.

This is because - damn and blast it - the 19th package of EU sanctions on Russia must win unanimous approval from all 27 EU members and Hungary and Slovakia have a habit of taking advantage of this need for unity to force the EU for a handout.

The EU has form here as RT explains:

Last year, over €10 billion was unfrozen after the Commission claimed progress on judicial independence – a decision that came just before a summit on a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine. Another tranche followed when the EU said the country had made progress on gender equality, days after Hungary ratified Sweden’s NATO bid.

Somehow, Hungary seems to have timed its 'progressions' to coincide with important EU decisions.

How convenient.