Just a day ahead of a crucial summit of European leaders in Brussels, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reaffirmed his stance against initiating EU accession talks with Ukraine.
Orbán emphasized: “The European Union is getting ready to make a terrible mistake, and they have to be prevented in this – even if 26 want to do this, and only we are opposed.”
The Prime Minister articulated Hungary’s viewpoint, stating: “The Hungarian position is that if we want to give Ukraine support, a geopolitical signal, then let’s give – but that’s not membership. Let’s leave membership as it is.”
Orbán maintained that allowing Ukraine‘s accession process to begin could potentially damage the credibility of the EU.
He explained: “That’s why I say, take down membership from the agenda, Hungary will insist on that, so that question is not worth seriously debating, that route is closed, because Hungary doesn’t agree to that.”
“But let’s speak sensibly about how within the framework of a strategic partnership let’s give the Ukrainians things in which we geostrategically strengthen them.”
Regarding the freezing of EU funds for Hungary, Orbán clarified that he distinguishes between financial and principled matters, insisting that Hungary rightfully deserves the funds.
He indicated a willingness to reach financial agreements but maintained a firm stance against linking financial negotiations with strategic or policy compromises.
“I am willing on financial questions, to make financial deals. But I am not willing on financial questions, to make strategic or policy deals,” he added.
