Ukraine working intensively with Hungary to unblock EU accession — Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
Heorhii Tykhyi, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Hungary continues to block the opening of negotiation clusters related to Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Kyiv is working intensively with Budapest to resolve all bilateral issues, according to Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Heorhii Tykhyi.
"We are working hard with the Hungarian side to resolve all bilateral issues. We are confident that we can achieve this. There is enough political will," Tykhyi said.
He noted that Ukraine is ready to open the negotiation clusters and move forward with the EU accession process.
"And not just because Ukraine receives certain benefits, but also because Ukraine has completed the necessary tasks and done the required homework at home to begin the screening process and address some other technical issues. We are ready to open the negotiation clusters," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized.
According to him, there are no obstacles to this step, and it can be taken right now.
"We will continue to work with all EU member states. We already have, I would say, broad agreement among most EU members that Ukraine's accession process can move forward. This is also the position of the European Commission. So we will actively engage with everyone and try to resolve any remaining bilateral issues with the Hungarian side," Tykhyi added.
Hungary blocks Ukraine's EU accession
Hungary is blocking the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly stated that he does not support Ukraine's EU membership.
In addition, he organized a national survey to gauge public opinion in Hungary regarding Ukraine's accession.
In April, the Hungarian opposition party Tisza published the results of its own poll. According to the findings, 58% of Hungarian citizens support Ukraine joining the EU. More than 1.1 million people participated in the survey.
Orbán himself boasted on social media that he had voted against Ukraine's EU membership.
He also stated that Ukraine's accession is not beneficial for Hungary, claiming it "threatens it's economy." According to Orbán, a major issue is that the EU would supposedly have to financially support Ukraine's million-strong army.
He even described Ukraine's accession to the EU as economic suicide.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that the European Union has a plan in case Hungary's veto cannot be overcome, with both Plan B and Plan C under consideration.
Today, Orbán once again voiced his opposition to Ukraine's EU membership, stating that he wants peace in Europe — and that Ukraine, in his view, is preventing it.
