Hungary and Slovakia block Ukraine’s EU accession for political reasons
Photo: Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, during the "Ukraine’s EU Accession: Shaping the Transformation Agenda" conference, stated that Hungary and Slovakia are blocking Ukraine's accession to the European Union for political reasons. This is also linked to major geopolitical shifts occurring worldwide.
“Undoubtedly, this is politics. Politics not only concerns Ukraine’s accession to the European Union but also involves nine other countries in the same process. Additionally, this is related to major geopolitical shifts, particularly the inauguration of the new US President,” she stated.
Stefanishyna noted that Ukraine has already navigated multiple crises, and in her view, such blockages are usually driven by domestic political considerations within the European Union. She emphasized that these actions are often about raising the stakes, given the importance of the decisions at hand.
Hungary and Slovakia’s obstruction of Ukraine’s EU membership
In December 2023, the European Council approved the decision to open EU accession talks with Ukraine. The decision faced challenges as Hungary initially blocked it.
Hungary and Slovakia remain among Ukraine’s strongest critics, opposing not only its EU and NATO accession but also the provision of military aid. Furthermore, Budapest frequently obstructs EU sanctions against Russia.
Tensions escalated after Ukraine decided not to extend the transit of Russian gas to Europe, which Hungary and Slovakia rely on for imports.
Recently, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico even accused Ukraine of allegedly influencing anti-government protests in Slovakia.
