(Budapest) “A terrible mistake”: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reaffirmed on Wednesday his firm opposition to the opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, a position that the expected release of European funds cannot influence.
“On subjects of high political importance, we have never changed our mind based on financial support received or not,” declared the nationalist leader in an interview with the pro-government newspaper Mandiner.
He was speaking as the European Commission was due to announce in the afternoon its green light for the unfreezing of some 10 billion in funds suspended due to breaches of the rule of law accused of Hungary.
In the European Parliament, elected officials are worried about the prospect of Brussels “giving in to blackmail” from Budapest.
Viktor Orban threatened to block key decisions for Ukraine which are on the agenda for a European summit on Thursday and Friday: the opening of EU accession negotiations and the approval of 50 billion European aid euros – in the form of donations and loans – in favor of this country.
For the Hungarian official, the first part is not negotiable.
“The EU is about to make a terrible mistake and we must prevent it even if the other 26 members have a different opinion,” he insisted. “If we want to support Ukraine, send it a signal, let’s do it, but not through membership,” added Mr. Orban, who instead pleads for “a strategic partnership”.
He distinguished this topic from “financial matters” which can always be discussed. “I am ready to conclude financial agreements on financial issues,” he said, without specific reference to aid to Ukraine.
Asked about a possible “Huxit” (exit from the EU), the Prime Minister said: “I do not want to leave, but to take power […] from within”, by rallying more and more countries “to illiberal values.
Since his return to power in 2010, Viktor Orban has regularly crossed swords with Brussels, from the independence of justice to migration policy, including the rights of the LGBT+ community. In recent weeks, his tone has become more virulent in order to mobilize his base in the run-up to the European elections in June 2024.