Hungary’s Orbán Highlights Decisive Role in Ukraine’s EU Membership Bid
In his annual State of the Nation address in Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressed Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union, emphasizing Hungary’s potential influence in the matter, The Associated Press reports.
“Against the will of Hungary and the Hungarians, Ukraine will never be a member of the European Union,” Orbán said. “Ukraine’s accession would destroy Hungarian farmers, and not only them, but the entire Hungarian national economy.”
Hungary has been at odds with other EU nations regarding financial aid to Kyiv and has advocated for continued economic and energy cooperation with Moscow.
Orbán questioned the nature of the conflict:
“It is not even about Ukraine, but about the territory called Ukraine — which until now has been a buffer zone between NATO and Russia — being placed under the auspices of NATO.”
He predicted that “Ukraine, or what remains of it, will again become a buffer zone,” and asserted that “It will not become a NATO member.”
Orbán, an ally of US President Donald Trump, has also voiced criticism of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), alleging that it was used to fund liberal causes in Hungary. He has indicated potential future actions against non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and rights groups that have received USAID funding.
