"Don't send money to others if you need it to increase your competitiveness. Therefore, stop transferring money to Ukraine," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told reporters today, before entering negotiations with European Union (EU) leaders in Belgium.
Since the Ukraine conflict erupted until the end of 2025, the EU and its member states have provided Kyiv with a total of 210 billion USD in military, economic, and political aid. The EU comprises 27 member states, boasting a combined gross domestic product of approximately 21,4 trillion USD.
Prime Minister Orban is considered the EU leader closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine applied for EU membership days after the conflict began, but negotiations to join the union could not proceed due to the Hungarian Prime Minister's veto.
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Alden Biesen castle, Belgium on 12/2. Photo: AFP |
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Alden Biesen castle, Belgium on 12/2. Photo: AFP
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the same day that Ukraine "will do everything" to be technically ready to join the EU by 2027.
"I want a specific timeline. Moscow will do everything to prevent this process if there is no specific date in the agreement signed between the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and Europe. They don't even need to do this themselves but can act through certain European representatives," Zelensky stated.
The Hungarian Prime Minister later responded to the Ukrainian leader, saying, "You are going in the wrong direction." "Joining the EU is based on merit. Member states set the conditions, not the applicant nation," he added.
Orban criticized President Zelensky for publicly proposing EU accession by 2027 and viewing it as a security guarantee, while Ukrainian military commanders "issue harsh threats against Hungary."
"Ukraine joining the EU will not bring peace; instead, it will bring conflict to Europe. There is no need to debate that Hungary will not finance, arm, or legitimize a security threat against itself," Prime Minister Orban said.
EU and Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on these statements.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)
