Hungary Says Final Say on Ukraine’s EU Future
KYIV – Hungary will hold the decisive power over whether Ukraine can join the European Union in the future, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This statement, made during his annual State of the Nation address in Budapest, marked a significant escalation in his opposition towards Ukraine.
“Against the will of Hungary and the Hungarians, Ukraine will never be a member of the European Union,” Orbán declared. “Ukraine’s accession would destroy Hungarian farmers, and not only them, but the entire Hungarian national economy.”
The claim is significant because unanimity among all EU member states is required to admit new members. Orbán, often considered President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally among European Union leaders, has repeatedly obstructed EU assistance to Ukraine and advocated for closer economic ties with Russia despite the ongoing war.
While Hungary has welcomed Ukrainian refugees, it has together been a significant hurdle in EU efforts to provide financial aid to Kyiv. Orbán has also pushed for deeper energy and economic cooperation with Moscow, even amid the war.
Orbán further cast doubt on Ukraine’s future statehood, describing the war as not even “about Ukraine, but about the territory called Ukraine — which until now has been a buffer zone between NATO and Russia — being placed under the auspices of NATO.”
He predicted: “Ukraine, or what remains of it, will again become a buffer zone. It will not become a NATO member.” These statements echo recent remarks by members of the trump management, who have suggested Ukraine should abandon its aspirations for NATO membership as a means to secure its future against potential Russian aggression.
Orbán, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, has hailed the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Advancement (USAID), claiming, without evidence, that the agency was used to fund liberal causes in Hungary that aimed to overthrow his government. He has pledged to hold accountable nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), media outlets, and rights groups that received USAID funding.
During his address,Orbán reaffirmed his commitment to cracking down on civil society and LGBTQ+ rights,announcing that he would send a commissioner to the United States to gather information on Hungarian entities that had benefited from USAID funding. This move has further heightened concerns about the shrinking space for civil liberties and democratic values in Hungary.
He declared: “We must urgently create the constitutional and legal conditions, so that we do not have to sit idly by as pseudo-civil public organizations serve foreign interests and organize political actions before our eyes.”
orbán also proposed amending the Hungarian Constitution, a document unilaterally drafted by his party in 2011, to explicitly state that a person is either male or female. He hinted that his government would take steps to prohibit the annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Budapest, stating: “I suggest we go on a counterattack here. I advise Pride organizers not to bother with the planning of this year’s parade…Waste of money and time.”
What are the potential economic implications of Hungary’s veto threat on Ukraine’s EU membership for both Hungary and the broader EU?
| Archyde: | Prime Minister Orbán, in your State of the Nation address, you stated that Hungary holds the power to veto Ukraine’s EU membership.Can you elaborate on this stance? |
| Orbán: “indeed, under the current EU rules, unanimity is required for new memberships. We believe that admitting Ukraine in its current form would pose significant economic risks to Hungary and its farmers. Therefore, we cannot support its accession.” |
| Archyde: | You’ve been critical of EU aid to Ukraine and have advocated for closer ties with Russia. isn’t this position at odds with the EU’s collective response to the war in Ukraine? |
| Orbán: “We empathize with the Ukrainian people, and we’ve welcomed refugees. However, we must also protect our citizens’ economic interests. We believe that maintaining balances in our relations with both the EU and Russia is key for stability in the region.” |
| Archyde: | You’ve cast doubt on Ukraine’s future statehood and NATO aspirations. Are you suggesting that Ukraine should give up its ambition for EU and NATO membership? |
| “We believe that focusing on maintaining peace and stability should be Ukraine’s priority. While we respect their aspirations, we believe that certain developments could imperil their future as a state.” |
| Archyde: | In light of your support for former President Trump, do you see any parallels between yourapproach to this issue and his ‘America First’ policy? |
| “We both believe in safeguarding our nation’s interests and the well-being of our citizens above all else. However, our policies are tailored to Hungary’s unique circumstances.” |
| archyde: | In Hungary, you’ve vowed to crack down on civil liberties and LGBTQ+ rights. Don’t you think this could hurt Hungary’s reputation internationally? |
| “We are protecting Hungarian values and sovereignty. I believe our decisions will resonate positively with our citizens.” |
