Ukraine and Hungary preparing bilateral document - Zelenskyy
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine and Hungary are preparing a bilateral document on future relations. It includes a clause on Ukraine's accession to NATO, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.
“Today, thanks to your work and thanks to your ties and dialogue with Hungary, the country, and the Hungarians of Hungary, I think a serious contribution can be made, a geopolitical contribution, part of an internal plan for the neighborhood and close dialogue with neighbors, and importantly, an effective one. That is why your dialog with the Hungarians is very important,” he says.
Zelenskyy emphasizes that Hungary is one of those who can partially block Ukraine's victory plan. According to the President, Ukrainians will pass any blockade of Hungary. But, as the head of state noted, he wants Ukraine to win without blockades from its neighbors, but rather with their help.
“A bilateral document is being prepared today. We would very much like to have a bilateral document between Ukraine and Hungary. There are many things in it. To remove misunderstandings or some challenges of the present, the future, both historical and past. To avoid raising the issue of minorities,” Zelenskyy says.
According to him, part of the bilateral dialogue and the document is security issues, namely Ukraine's accession to NATO. Ukraine asks Hungary not to block the Alliance's invitation.
“That is, not to support, not to vote for us, but not to block. Today, this item is in our proposals, and we would like Hungary not to block even this item. It is important for us,” the President adds.
Hungary's attitude towards Ukraine
Hungary is one of the few countries in the European Union that blocks Ukraine's accession to the EU. Budapest also blocks financial aid to Ukraine and often opposes anti-Russian sanctions.
Hungary, which currently holds the EU presidency, is blocking an EU loan to Ukraine that would be secured by proceeds from frozen Russian assets. Budapest says it does not want to decide until after the US presidential election.
In addition, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has criticized Ukraine's victory plan.
Read more about Orbán and his friendly relations with Vladimir Putin in RBC-Ukraine's article.
