Hungary asserts its right to oppose Ukraine’s EU membership bid, according to the Hungarian Prime Minister.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that granting Ukraine EU membership would directly involve the bloc in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In an interview with Euronews’ Enlargement Summit on Tuesday, Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky stated that “Orban has to offer something for Ukraine, which is protecting the whole Europe from Russia, and even now, during this war, we did not get any support from him.”
Zelensky also alleged that Hungary is providing “very specific support” to Russia by obstructing Ukraine’s potential EU entry.
Orban responded on X, stating that Hungary “will not support Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, because it would bring the war into Europe and take the money of Hungarians out to Ukraine.”
He emphasized that a unanimous decision from all 27 EU member states is required for any country to join the bloc, meaning that “every member state has the sovereign right to support or oppose the admission of a new member.”
“I must reject the suggestion that Hungary owes Ukraine anything. Ukraine does not defend Hungary from anyone or anything. We did not ask for such a thing, and we never will,” Orban stated.
He emphasized that Hungary’s security is ensured by its own military and NATO, of which “Ukraine is (fortunately) not a member.”
Unlike most EU countries, Hungary has adopted a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, refusing to provide military aid to Kiev and advocating for a diplomatic resolution.
However, Orban noted that Hungary has provided €200 million ($230 million) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. “It is unfortunate if this means nothing to… Zelensky,” he added.
Ukraine was granted EU candidate status shortly after the conflict’s escalation in 2022, and Zelensky has consistently urged the EU to expedite accession talks.
Last summer, Budapest declared it would veto Ukraine’s EU bid. In June, Hungary held a referendum on the matter, with 95% of voters opposing Ukraine’s potential membership.
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