Ukraine's membership in the European Union is as far away as Hungary is with Jerusalem. With this comparison, Prime Minister Viktor Orban once again emphasizes the strong opposition to the opening of EU accession negotiations with the state involved in the war started by Russia.
"I believe that the negotiations for Ukraine's membership in the EU should not be opened. Ukraine is not prepared in any way to engage in discussions about this ambition. I can even say that Ukraine is as far from EU membership as our city Mako is from Jerusalem."
VIKTOR ORBAN, PRIME MINISTER OF HUNGARY
Nationalist Orban, in power since 2010, warned Brussels not to block billions of euros in funds suspended for Hungary over a rule-of-law issue, stressing that it should not be linked in any way to Ukraine's path to EU.
"I would like to clarify that the Hungarian refusal to start negotiations with Ukraine for EU accession is not subject to a business agreement; it cannot be related to any financial matter. They must pay us back what they owe us. We can negotiate about it, we can sort of agree on the budgets, but the financing of Ukraine, the funds sent there, the start of talks with Ukraine, the whole range of issues cannot be related to the funds that Hungary is entitled to taken."
VIKTOR ORBAN, PRIME MINISTER OF HUNGARY
European Union leaders are expected to decide in mid-December whether or not to accept the Commission's recommendation to invite Ukraine to start membership negotiations once it meets the conditions. However, a pro seat is only obtained through a unanimous vote of the bloc's 27 states. (A2 Televizion)
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