Orban says EU cannot admit Ukraine without Budapest’s approval
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky have exchanged sharp words regarding Ukraine's prospective EU membership. Orban has emphasized that Ukraine cannot join the EU without Hungary's approval. The tension...
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky have exchanged sharp words regarding Ukraine's prospective EU membership. Orban has emphasized that Ukraine cannot join the EU without Hungary's approval.
The tension escalated on Friday when Orban asserted that Ukraine's EU membership would "bankrupt the Hungarian economy," branding the potential accession as a "collective economic trap." He also criticized the EU's ambition to admit Ukraine by 2030, a timeline reiterated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We know when they want to bring them in. It’s not some vague future; it’s here, knocking at our door,” he remarked, adding, “Forget the fairy tales about when and how. They want to do it now, as fast as possible.”
In response, Zelensky pointed to domestic polling in Hungary, stating, “70% support Ukraine joining the EU. That means people in Hungary are with us.” However, the poll from the opposition Tisza Party that he cited indicated only 58% support, while an earlier survey by Hungarian newspaper Nepszava reported even lower figures, showing 47% in favor and 46% against.
Orban countered Zelensky's claims on social media, asserting: “What the Hungarian people think is not decided by the president in Kiev or the bureaucrats in Brussels. There is no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary. Every Hungarian will have their say on this. Whether you like it or not. That’s how we do things here.”
For any new country to join the EU, unanimous approval from all member states is required. Hungary has consistently pointed to issues of corruption and minority rights as reasons for opposing Ukraine's expedited membership, with Orban previously labeling Ukraine as “one of the most corrupt countries in the world.”
Ukraine, which has prioritized EU membership, submitted its formal application to join the bloc in February 2022, shortly after the onset of hostilities with Russia. Although several EU member states support Ukraine's bid, the timeline for membership remains unclear, as Brussels has indicated that significant legal, political, and economic reforms are necessary for progress.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
The tension escalated on Friday when Orban asserted that Ukraine's EU membership would "bankrupt the Hungarian economy," branding the potential accession as a "collective economic trap." He also criticized the EU's ambition to admit Ukraine by 2030, a timeline reiterated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We know when they want to bring them in. It’s not some vague future; it’s here, knocking at our door,” he remarked, adding, “Forget the fairy tales about when and how. They want to do it now, as fast as possible.”
In response, Zelensky pointed to domestic polling in Hungary, stating, “70% support Ukraine joining the EU. That means people in Hungary are with us.” However, the poll from the opposition Tisza Party that he cited indicated only 58% support, while an earlier survey by Hungarian newspaper Nepszava reported even lower figures, showing 47% in favor and 46% against.
Orban countered Zelensky's claims on social media, asserting: “What the Hungarian people think is not decided by the president in Kiev or the bureaucrats in Brussels. There is no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary. Every Hungarian will have their say on this. Whether you like it or not. That’s how we do things here.”
For any new country to join the EU, unanimous approval from all member states is required. Hungary has consistently pointed to issues of corruption and minority rights as reasons for opposing Ukraine's expedited membership, with Orban previously labeling Ukraine as “one of the most corrupt countries in the world.”
Ukraine, which has prioritized EU membership, submitted its formal application to join the bloc in February 2022, shortly after the onset of hostilities with Russia. Although several EU member states support Ukraine's bid, the timeline for membership remains unclear, as Brussels has indicated that significant legal, political, and economic reforms are necessary for progress.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
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