Orbán opposes Ukraine's EU accession, citing corruption concerns
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has cast a shadow over next week's crucial European Union summit, vowing to block discussions on Ukraine's accession to the bloc.
In an interview with French publication Le Point, Orbán labelled Ukraine "one of the most corrupt countries in the world," calling the EU's plan to start accession talks for Kyiv a "joke" and a "bad decision."
"We cannot make the decision to start a negotiation process," Orbán declared, underscoring his opposition despite the European Commission's November approval. Hungary's staunch stance poses a significant challenge to EU leaders gathering in Brussels next week, where they are scheduled to consider both opening accession talks with Ukraine and unlocking a €50 billion aid package for the war-torn country.
Orbán's opposition stems from his long standing concerns about corruption in Ukraine. He cited a Transparency International report from earlier this year ranking Ukraine nine points lower than Hungary on its Corruption Perception Index, highlighting its perceived shortcomings.
While Orbán's position is firm, other EU leaders have voiced strong support for Ukraine's integration. The European Commission's green light in November was seen as a significant step towards Kyiv's eventual membership. However, with Hungary holding a veto power, Orbán's threat could potentially derail the entire process.
The upcoming summit promises to be a pivotal moment for both Ukraine and the EU. Whether Orbán's objections can be overcome and a path towards Ukrainian membership can be paved remains to be seen.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
