Zelenskyy: Ukraine will join the EU with or without Orbán

He said that Ukraine's membership in the EU is the choice of the Ukrainian people, and he is confident that Hungarians support Ukraine regardless of their prime minister's actions.

“Ukraine will be in the European Union with or without Orbán. Because this is the choice of the Ukrainian people. Changing the procedure is called ‘finding a way without’. When most countries, except Hungary, support Ukraine, they understand how it should be. Ukraine is fighting for everyone, for its freedom, for the freedom of Europe,” Zelenskyy said.

The head of state added that the Hungarian prime minister is currently slowing down the accession process, and this will go down in history.

“Only history will remember that Hungary - namely, the only prime minister who slowed down Ukraine's accession to the EU - was him,” Zelenskyy said.

He noted that Ukraine is ready to follow both the usual accession procedure and alternative paths, and if necessary, will turn to other EU member states for support.

Ukraine's accession to the EU

The EU is currently unable to start negotiations with Ukraine on accession to the bloc solely because of the position of pro-Russian Hungary. Budapest has vetoed the start of negotiations.

Ukraine expects EU countries to decide to start accession talks in the near future. Ukraine had completed the screening of its legislation for EU accession in record time.

However, Orbán has stated that he supports a so-called “strategic partnership” with Ukraine instead of EU accession.

The leader of a country that lives on European subsidies stated that EU members will have to pay Ukraine money under various programs. He says that this is why he opposes Ukraine's membership.