Hungary blocks Ukraine's EU accession again: What is Prime Minister demanding?
Photo: Péter Magyar, Prime Minister of Hungary (Getty Images)
According to the outlet's sources, Budapest has postponed the opening of the second and third negotiating clusters, which cover integration into the EU single market as well as economic and social policy.
Moreover, the team of Hungarian leader Péter Magyar demands not to speed up Ukraine's EU accession process.
According to the Financial Times, Budapest's latest actions suggest that the Hungarian authorities are unwilling to fully abandon their previous policy toward Ukraine.
One EU diplomat described the delay as a "hiccup" that will likely be resolved. However, European officials believe that direct political intervention will now most likely be required to maintain Hungary's support.
Hungary's prime minister has opposed fast-tracking Ukraine's EU membership from the outset. In addition, a long-promised summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has yet to take place.
A Hungarian government spokesperson said Budapest opposes any "fast-track" for Ukraine, arguing that Kyiv should not receive more favorable treatment than the Western Balkan countries, which have spent years meeting the requirements for EU membership.
