No official decisions on Ukraine's accession to the EU are expected at the ongoing EU summit in Brussels, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Arriving in the Belgian capital, Orbán stressed that Hungary, backed by the results of the recent referendum where 95 % citizens rejected Ukraine's quick accession, will block the process.
"The Hungarian people have not given their consent to accept Ukraine, and I respect that position. Nothing that happens today can legally lead to Ukraine's EU membership," Orbán told Hungarian television M1.His position underlines Hungary's long-term strategy of emphasising national sovereignty and caution on EU enlargement, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions.
Orbán's position is based on EU rules, which require unanimity of all member states for key steps in the accession process. "The EU cannot ignore Hungary's position because even the opening of accession talks requires consensus," the prime minister explained. He said that while European leaders can issue statements or make speeches, it is impossible to reach an agreement without Hungary's support. This position puts Hungary in the position of a key player in the EU enlargement debate, which may lead to tensions with other member states that support faster integration of Ukraine.
In recent months, the Hungarian government has repeatedly warned of the "irreparable damage" that it believes the rapid admission of Ukraine could cause. The main concerns include the potential involvement of the EU in a direct confrontation with Russia, the economic impact, especially on agriculture, and the threat to public security. These arguments reflect Hungary's long-standing policy of "eastern opening", which seeks to maintain pragmatic relations with Russia, as well as Orbán's domestic political strategy of maintaining voter support by emphasising national interests.
Orbán's key argument is a reference to a referendum in which 95 % Hungarians reportedly rejected Ukraine's rapid accession to the EU. Hungary often uses so-called national consultations - questionnaires sent to citizens to gauge public opinion on controversial issues. Critics, however, consider these consultations manipulative, as the questions tend to be worded in a way that supports the government's narrative.
Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, shortly after the start of the Russian invasion, in a symbolic show of EU support. In December 2023, EU leaders decided to open accession talks, the first step towards possible membership. However, the accession process is lengthy and complex. It requires meeting the Copenhagen criteria, which include a stable democracy, the rule of law, a functioning market economy and the adoption of the acquis communautaire - the body of EU law. In addition, Ukraine needs to carry out extensive reforms in the areas of justice, the fight against corruption and governance, which is very complicated given the ongoing war.
Brussels hopes to start formal accession talks in 2025, but the Hungarian veto puts this plan in doubt. Hungary is not the only country with reservations - some Eastern European countries have expressed similar concerns, for example over competition from Ukrainian agricultural products that could damage local markets. Another issue is the EU budget, as accepting Ukraine would mean significant financial costs for subsidies and development programmes.
Orbán's position must be understood in the context of Hungary's broader geopolitical and economic interests. The country has long been trying to balance its commitments to the EU with maintaining relations with Russia, a key energy supplier. Hungary has also faced criticism for weakening democratic standards, which has led to the curtailment of some EU funds. Orban's opposition to accepting Ukraine may also be a strategic move to strengthen his negotiating position on other issues, such as the EU budget negotiations or the release of frozen funds.
Hungary's economic concerns are mainly related to agriculture. Ukraine is one of the world's largest grain producers, and its integration into the EU single market could undermine prices and the competitiveness of Hungarian farmers. Another factor is security - Hungary, which shares a border with Ukraine, fears an influx of refugees or the destabilisation of the region if the conflict with Russia escalates.
The EU summit in Brussels, at which Orbán spoke, is also dealing with other key issues, such as the revision of the ETS 2 emission allowance system, which is being promoted by the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic, under the leadership of Prime Minister Petr Fialy, has won the support of 18 countries, including Portugal and Greece, for modifications to ETS 2 to mitigate the impact on fuel and heating prices. Although not directly linked, the two issues - Ukraine's membership and ETS 2 - reflect a broader tension in the EU between ambitious climate and geopolitical goals and member states' concerns about economic and social impacts.
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