Victor Orbán has once again taken up his usual stance—openly declaring that he will do everything in his power to prevent Ukraine’s accession to the European Union
He justifies this move by citing concern for Hungary’s national interests and his personal conscience, which, according to him, does not allow him to remain silent. In his Facebook post, the Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that the idea of EU expansion is noble and beneficial, but not in the case of Ukraine. He believes that for the "Brussels bureaucracy," this is a profitable and convenient strategy, especially considering the current situation with the war in Ukraine. According to him, European politicians see Ukraine's potential accession as a "favorable operation" that could, in turn, negatively impact stability and prosperity in Europe. "Ukraine will drain every euro, forint, and zloty that we have been spending to support European families, farmers, and industry," Orbán confidently states without hesitation. He considers that in ten years, the situation might become an insurmountable challenge for the country: "I will not be able to look in the mirror and explain to my grandchildren why we allowed our values, resources, and future to be sacrificed." The Prime Minister justifies his actions mainly by personal responsibility—claiming he aims to do everything to protect Hungary and the European Union from the so-called "Brussels dream" of Ukraine's accession. At the same time, he used this public statement as an opportunity to promote an government survey that questions Ukraine’s prospects of joining the EU. According to experts, this survey is imbued with manipulation and political game-playing. It was launched online to engage a broader audience and exert additional influence. To understand the current state of Ukrainian-Hungarian relations, it is important to refer to analytical materials. For instance, Serhiy Sydorenko, editor of "European Pravda," in his article titled "Orbán’s Ukrainian plan: How the Hungarian leader aims to use Ukraine to win the elections," discusses Budapest's motives and Orbán’s strategy regarding our country's future in the EU. Overall, Orbán’s position raises concern in Kyiv and among European circles. Ukrainian citizens increasingly realize that actions like these of certain leaders can significantly complicate the process of European integration and create additional obstacles in crucial negotiation processes for the country. Currently, Ukrainian authorities need to develop a strategy to counter such policies, trying to maintain support from international partners while remaining consistent in their European orientation. Experts and analysts report that relations between Kyiv and Budapest remain complex: the Hungarian Prime Minister sometimes openly states a position that, on one hand, generally supports Ukraine’s European aspirations, but on the other hand, introduces additional imbalance into strategic goals. Under current circumstances, it is important for Kyiv to demonstrate commitment to European integration, avoid internal disagreements, and establish dialogue with Brussels. One of the key tasks is to counter manipulations and political games aimed at hindering Ukraine's movement towards the European community and at deepening internal divisions. Thus, Orbán’s decisions not only confirm his personal political course but also highlight the challenges facing our country in its pursuit of European integration. The choice of a strategic direction for Ukraine remains anchored in values, but must also account for new challenges posed by neighboring countries' policies. Therefore, it is crucial for Ukrainians to remain vigilant, united, and committed to the European future, regardless of attempts by particular leaders to pursue their own interests in the global game surrounding our state.