Overview

• Arriving in Copenhagen, Viktor Orban said granting Ukraine EU membership now would mean war in Europe and divert EU funds to Kyiv.
• He described the meeting as a “fight in a cage” and vowed that Hungarian money will not be sent to Ukraine.
• Orban warned that a single mistake by a major power could trigger a world war, calling the security situation extremely tense.
• He said association with the EU is acceptable but full membership is “too much,” and he cast his position as reflecting a referendum showing overwhelming opposition to rapid accession after he blocked a pro‑Ukraine statement in June.
• Financial Times has reported the European Commission is preparing technical thematic work on Ukraine and Moldova to sidestep a veto, with the approach set to be discussed at the Copenhagen gathering.