Orban urged Zelensky not to dictate to Hungary the conditions for Ukraine's membership in the EU

Hungary's position on Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU) will depend on the opinion of the Hungarian people, and not be determined by Kiev politicians. This was announced on May 4 by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Thus, he responded to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, who condemned Orban's blocking of Ukraine's membership in the EU, calling his actions "extremely dangerous" for the bloc.

"Mr. President! Neither the president in Kiev nor the bureaucrats in Brussels decide what the Hungarian people think. Without Hungary, Ukraine will not join the EU. Every Hungarian will express his opinion on this issue. Whether you like it or not. This is how we do it," Orban wrote on his page on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

Break ranks: EU split over Ukraine intensifies

Because of this, Brussels may change the decision-making procedure.

Earlier, in March, it was reported that Budapest decided not to support Ukraine's accession to the EU until Kiev takes care of the rights of the Hungarian minority in its country.

Orban also stated at the time that Ukraine's hasty accession to the European Union would lead to the economic collapse of the community. He stressed that the accession process would involve high costs to support Ukraine, and the EU currently does not have such funds.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on March 10 that the Hungarian government still considers Ukraine's accession to the EU dangerous, but is ready to represent any position of its citizens on this issue in the international arena.

Zelensky signed an application for the country's accession to the EU in February 2022. In April of the same year, the Ukrainian side submitted to the union the completed second part of the questionnaire for obtaining candidate status. On June 23 of the same year, Michel announced that Ukraine had agreed on a candidate status at the EU summit.