Spanish Prime Minister had phone conversation with Orban: Theme of discussion revealed
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (Photo: GettyImages)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban discuss Ukraine's EU accession by phone on the eve of the European Council meeting, according to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on the social network X.
Sanchez said Spain would continue to provide financial and military support to Ukraine against Russian aggression.
"Enlargement is an investment in peace, security, stability, and prosperity in Europe. As the rotating Presidency of the EU, Spain will do its utmost to build consensus among the 27 countries and maintain financial and military support to Ukraine against Russian aggression. Defending the rules-based international order is one of the fundamental values of the European Union," Sanchez wrote.
He conversado con el primer ministro de Hungría, @PM_ViktorOrban, sobre los avances hacia la adhesión de Ucrania a la UE, de cara al Consejo Europeo de la semana próxima.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) December 7, 2023
La ampliación es una inversión en paz, seguridad, estabilidad y prosperidad para Europa.
Desde la…
Orban, in turn, contradicted his colleague, saying there was no unity in the EU on the issue.
"My message was clear: we should refrain from discussing Ukraine's accession to the EU in December, as there is no unity among member states on this issue," Orban wrote.
I had a frank phone conversation today with Prime Minister @sanchezcastejon . My message was clear: we should refrain from discussing the issue of Ukraine’s EU accession during the December #EUCO, as there is no unity among member states on this matter.
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 7, 2023
Hungary's position
In November, the European Commission released a report on the progress of Ukraine and other countries on their way to joining the European Union. The document recommended opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
In early December, Hungary's ruling party called on the government not to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
Previously, we wrote that according to a Radio Liberty journalist, Hungary will block the issue of Ukraine at the EU summit.
Read more about why Hungary is blocking Ukraine's accession to the European Union and what Orban wants in the RBC-Ukraine article.
