A verbal sparring match has erupted between the prime minister and Vladimir Zelensky after the latter implied Hungarians would welcome Ukraine’s EU membership.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky are at odds over Ukraine’s EU aspirations. Orban has asserted that Ukraine cannot join the EU without Hungary’s consent.
The exchange began when Orban stated on Friday that Ukraine’s EU entry “would bankrupt the Hungarian economy,” labeling its potential membership a “collective economic trap.”
Orban also criticized the EU’s aim to admit Ukraine by 2030, a goal recently restated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He stated, “We know when they want to bring them in. It’s not some vague future; it’s here, knocking at our door,” adding, “Forget the fairy tales about when and how. They want to do it now, as fast as possible.”
Zelensky countered by referencing Hungarian polling data, claiming, “70% support Ukraine joining the EU. That means people in Hungary are with us.”
However, the poll Zelensky cited, conducted by the opposition Tisza Party, actually showed only 58% support. An earlier poll by the Hungarian newspaper Nepszava indicated even lower support, with 47% in favor and 46% against.
Orban responded to Zelensky on X, stating: “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.”
Unanimous approval from all EU members is required for any new country to join the bloc. Hungary has consistently cited widespread corruption and issues with minority rights as reasons for opposing Ukraine’s expedited membership. Orban has even described Ukraine as “one of the most corrupt countries in the world.”
Ukraine, prioritizing EU membership, formally applied to join in February 2022, shortly after the escalation of conflict with Russia. Despite support from several EU nations, the timeline for Ukraine’s membership remains uncertain, with Brussels emphasizing the need for significant legal, political, and economic reforms.
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