Hungary Says It Will Veto Ukraine’s EU Bid, Urges Strategic Partnership

The move collides with a European Commission timetable that seeks to open membership talks this year.

Overview

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Hungary will not support Ukrainian accession and proposed a non-membership strategic partnership with the EU.
Orban argued that Ukrainian membership would lead to war in Europe and divert Hungarian funds to Ukraine.
He stressed that EU enlargement requires unanimity, asserting Hungary’s sovereign right to block a new member.
Orban highlighted Hungarian humanitarian support for Ukrainians, citing roughly €200 million in aid, refugee hosting, schools, medical help and children’s camps.
EU enlargement chief Marta Kos said the Commission expects talks with Ukraine to effectively begin by year-end and for Ukraine and Moldova to be ready to conclude negotiations by 2028.