BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cast doubt Friday on the prospect of the European Union beginning negotiations any time soon for Ukraine to join the bloc, saying it was unrealistic to launch the accession process with a country that’s at war.
Speaking to state radio, Orbán noted that unanimity among the EU’s 27 member states is required to admit a new country into the bloc. In the case of Hungary, he said, the parliament would have to give the go-ahead to Ukraine, which has ambitions to join the EU within two years.
“When I’m in the chamber, I don’t feel the insurmountable desire for the Hungarian parliament to vote for Ukraine’s membership of the European Union within two years. So I would be careful with these ambitious plans,” Orbán said.
Ukraine was officially granted EU candidate status last year — an unusually rapid decision for the EU and its go-slow approach to expansion, prompted by the war in Ukraine. The European Council is expected to begin negotiations on Ukraine’s accession in December.
Hungary, which has been sanctioned by the EU for alleged rule-of-law violations and corruption, has sparred with Kyiv over the rights of an ethnic Hungarian minority in western Ukraine. While it has admitted Ukrainian refugees and condemned Russia’s invasion, it has — uniquely among EU countries — maintained close relations with Moscow and argued against supplying arms to Ukraine or providing it with economic assistance.
On Friday, Orbán said the EU “will have to answer very long and difficult questions until we get to the point where we can even decide whether to start negotiations.”
“When we are discussing the future of Ukraine in Brussels in the autumn, we will not be able to avoid the question of whether we can think seriously about the membership of such a country,” he said. “Can we start negotiations with a country that is in a territorial war? We do not know the size of this country’s territory since it is still at war, and we do not know what its population is, because they are fleeing. … To admit a country without knowing its parameters would be unprecedented.”
On Monday, Orbán told the Hungarian parliament that his government would “not support Ukraine on any international issue” until the language rights of the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine are restored.
Of course he does! No surprise whatsoever. A huge surprise would have been if he wouldn’t.
i mean hes kinda correct ukraine will need about a decade to get their ducks in a row
The situation with Ukraine has already become an important part of European mythology. If Europe chooses Orban’s narratives, which are predominantly contradict to the ideals of the Renaissance and the French Revolution, then it will automatically self-destruct and return to feudalism.
P.S. The comment rating fluctuates from -8 to +1, what’s going on?
And in the meantime they appointed a new ambassador to Belarus… to a country which ones government is not recognized by the EU.
As long as the open and not a little ashamed ”ukranisation” of national minorities goes on, EU membership is out of the question.
Well, Orban doesn’t know what territory Hungary has, that’s why he keeps getting caught with fantasy maps.
Sooner or later the EU continued exsistence hinges on its ability to make reforms.
For instance a simple majority voting to expand the EU.
Not implementing legislation in all member states simultaniously. Gain the ability to judge and sanction member states working against the majority decisions.
Coming from a nation that has opt outs this may read as hypocracy, but the truth is that it allowed the EU to continue on a path, and Denmark is more or less following the same path by general negotiation and agreement.
Instead of waiting for everyone, it may be time to speed up things for those that want, and not be slowed down by those that never want it anyway.
Oh eat **** you **** Orbán.
Can’t Hungary, Turkey and Russia establish an Anti-European union and be done with it. Getting tired of their attitudes.
Myeah, Orban’s always surprisingly cooperative when he needs another round of EU-financing tho.
Shocker
I hate this guy, since he destroyed my country not only economically, but pushed it into a spiritual darkness, that is going to take decades to heal.
But you know… he’s kinda has a point on this one. Pre-war the EU membership of Ukraine was not even close to being more than cloudy Idea that can happen maybe in the next dedade… maybe. War happened and suddenly there are loud voices talking about the (even instant) membership of Ukraine. There is Turkey, Serbia waiting in the que since God knows how long. Ukraine managed to complete zero of the required reforms, standards or tasks to even get on the same level of those countries. I fail to see the logic behind the membership of a chaotic oligarchic country that is in (or post) war and in unimaginable debt.
Couldn’t we just switch: Putin gets Hungary and we take Ukraine.
One out – one in … That simple.
If the rest of the countries doesn’t want a country inside EU, it should be a way to kick it out.
16 comments
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cast doubt Friday on the prospect of the European Union beginning negotiations any time soon for Ukraine to join the bloc, saying it was unrealistic to launch the accession process with a country that’s at war.
Speaking to state radio, Orbán noted that unanimity among the EU’s 27 member states is required to admit a new country into the bloc. In the case of Hungary, he said, the parliament would have to give the go-ahead to Ukraine, which has ambitions to join the EU within two years.
“When I’m in the chamber, I don’t feel the insurmountable desire for the Hungarian parliament to vote for Ukraine’s membership of the European Union within two years. So I would be careful with these ambitious plans,” Orbán said.
Ukraine was officially granted EU candidate status last year — an unusually rapid decision for the EU and its go-slow approach to expansion, prompted by the war in Ukraine. The European Council is expected to begin negotiations on Ukraine’s accession in December.
Hungary, which has been sanctioned by the EU for alleged rule-of-law violations and corruption, has sparred with Kyiv over the rights of an ethnic Hungarian minority in western Ukraine. While it has admitted Ukrainian refugees and condemned Russia’s invasion, it has — uniquely among EU countries — maintained close relations with Moscow and argued against supplying arms to Ukraine or providing it with economic assistance.
On Friday, Orbán said the EU “will have to answer very long and difficult questions until we get to the point where we can even decide whether to start negotiations.”
“When we are discussing the future of Ukraine in Brussels in the autumn, we will not be able to avoid the question of whether we can think seriously about the membership of such a country,” he said. “Can we start negotiations with a country that is in a territorial war? We do not know the size of this country’s territory since it is still at war, and we do not know what its population is, because they are fleeing. … To admit a country without knowing its parameters would be unprecedented.”
On Monday, Orbán told the Hungarian parliament that his government would “not support Ukraine on any international issue” until the language rights of the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine are restored.
Of course he does! No surprise whatsoever. A huge surprise would have been if he wouldn’t.
i mean hes kinda correct ukraine will need about a decade to get their ducks in a row
The situation with Ukraine has already become an important part of European mythology. If Europe chooses Orban’s narratives, which are predominantly contradict to the ideals of the Renaissance and the French Revolution, then it will automatically self-destruct and return to feudalism.
P.S. The comment rating fluctuates from -8 to +1, what’s going on?
And in the meantime they appointed a new ambassador to Belarus… to a country which ones government is not recognized by the EU.
What a fucking disgrace!
source( in hungarian):
https://nepszava.hu/3210487_magyarorszag-belarusz-nagykovet-europai-unio-2020-valasztas
As long as the open and not a little ashamed ”ukranisation” of national minorities goes on, EU membership is out of the question.
Well, Orban doesn’t know what territory Hungary has, that’s why he keeps getting caught with fantasy maps.
Sooner or later the EU continued exsistence hinges on its ability to make reforms.
For instance a simple majority voting to expand the EU.
Not implementing legislation in all member states simultaniously. Gain the ability to judge and sanction member states working against the majority decisions.
Coming from a nation that has opt outs this may read as hypocracy, but the truth is that it allowed the EU to continue on a path, and Denmark is more or less following the same path by general negotiation and agreement.
Instead of waiting for everyone, it may be time to speed up things for those that want, and not be slowed down by those that never want it anyway.
Oh eat **** you **** Orbán.
Can’t Hungary, Turkey and Russia establish an Anti-European union and be done with it. Getting tired of their attitudes.
Myeah, Orban’s always surprisingly cooperative when he needs another round of EU-financing tho.
Shocker
I hate this guy, since he destroyed my country not only economically, but pushed it into a spiritual darkness, that is going to take decades to heal.
But you know… he’s kinda has a point on this one. Pre-war the EU membership of Ukraine was not even close to being more than cloudy Idea that can happen maybe in the next dedade… maybe. War happened and suddenly there are loud voices talking about the (even instant) membership of Ukraine. There is Turkey, Serbia waiting in the que since God knows how long. Ukraine managed to complete zero of the required reforms, standards or tasks to even get on the same level of those countries. I fail to see the logic behind the membership of a chaotic oligarchic country that is in (or post) war and in unimaginable debt.
Couldn’t we just switch: Putin gets Hungary and we take Ukraine.
One out – one in … That simple.
If the rest of the countries doesn’t want a country inside EU, it should be a way to kick it out.