Zelensky Explains Why Orban Is Blocking Ukraine’s EU Accession
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has openly expressed his perspective on the obstructive stance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
According to the Ukrainian leader, the root cause of this blockage lies in internal political reasons within Hungary, particularly the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Zelensky emphasized that the majority of EU member states support Ukraine’s integration into the EU, with only a few countries currently holding back or voicing objections.
Data shows that out of 26 supporting nations, an overwhelming majority are aligned in their stance, yet Hungary is impeding this process, guided by its internal political interests.
Zelensky pointed out that the primary trigger for Orbán is the upcoming elections, which he uses to boost his popularity by criticizing EU policies and values.
Consequently, Orbán actively diversifies his campaign by portraying himself as a critic of European integration, thereby rallying his political support base.
The Ukrainian president indicated that if necessary, Ukraine is prepared to pursue procedural changes within the EU, such as shifting from unanimity to majority voting mechanisms, to counteract blockades.
These discussions are ongoing within EU circles, and Zelensky stresses the importance of implementing such measures to facilitate Ukraine’s accession.
Furthermore, he expressed confidence that by the end of the year, Ukraine could complete negotiations on six out of seven clusters, paving the way for full EU membership.
Nonetheless, political provocations from Hungary, such as the organization of a controversial referendum questioning public support for Ukraine’s EU membership, continue to threaten progress.
Critics question the legitimacy and sincerity of such surveys, viewing them as manipulative tactics designed to delay or derail membership discussions.
Overall, the situation remains tense, but Ukrainian authorities are confident that unified efforts and a consistent stance within the EU can overcome these obstacles and advance Ukraine’s European integration process.