Zelenskyy accused of 'moral blackmail' by Orban amid Ukraine's EU talks
Hungary says it is not obliged to support Ukraine’s EU membership (Getty Images)
Hungary has once again voiced opposition to Ukraine’s progress toward joining the European Union. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Kyiv of exerting pressure on EU member states and said that Budapest does not consider itself obligated to support Ukraine’s accession, according to a post by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the social media platform X.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of using "moral blackmail" to pressure European Union member states into supporting Kyiv’s bid to join the bloc, despite the will of the Hungarian people.
According to Orbán, the Ukrainian side is attempting to dictate what is best for Hungarians while running a media campaign aimed at pressuring Budapest. He stressed that Hungary has no moral obligation to back Ukraine’s EU accession and that any decision on enlargement must be made unanimously by all member states.
Budapest's arguments
Orbán recalled that Hungary previously held a referendum in which the majority voted against Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. He said Budapest’s position reflects the will of the people and respect for European agreements.
"No country has ever blackmailed its way into the European Union — and it won’t happen this time either," Orbán stated.
Context
Relations between Kyiv and Budapest remain tense amid differing views on EU enlargement and support for Ukraine during the ongoing war. Hungary has repeatedly blocked initiatives related to financial aid for Kyiv, citing national interests.
Earlier, Orbán said that Hungary does not seek to be in the same union as Ukraine, expressing fears of "sharing Ukraine’s fate." He emphasized that admitting a new member to the EU requires the unanimous consent of all 27 member states and added that Hungarians are not obliged to align with the positions of other countries.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that no one has the right to block Ukraine’s path to the European Union, saying the decision reflects both the country’s aspirations and the will of Europe. Speaking at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, he added that even Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orbán, cannot obstruct this process.
