RT reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently warned that Ukraine's entry into the European Union (EU) not only risks pushing the Hungarian economy into a "carsity" but also poses general economic risks to the entire bloc.
Mr. Orban also emphasized that Ukraine will not be able to become an EU member without the consent of Hungary in the context of the EU promoting the plan to admit Kiev by 2030.
Prime Minister Orban added that Hungarians will not accept the president in Kiev or officials in Brussels deciding to replace them in the future of the country. This means that Budapest will use its boycott to block Ukraine's EU entry process despite support from many other member states.
Responding to Mr. Orban's strong statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited the results of a public opinion survey in Hungary that 70% of the country's people support Ukraine's entry into the EU. Mr Zelensky affirmed that the Hungarian people are on Ukraine's side.
However, the survey that Mr. Zelensky mentioned conducted by Hungary's opposition party Tisza in reality only showed 58% of the people supporting. Meanwhile, another survey conducted by Hungary's Nepszava newspaper recorded a lower rate, with 47% in favor and 46% against.
According to RT, admitting any country to the EU requires absolute consensus from all members. Hungary has repeatedly cited widespread corruption and issues related to the rights of ethnic minorities in Ukraine to protest the country's rapid admission.
Prime Minister Orban once declared Ukraine "one of the most corrupt countries in the world".
On Ukraine's side, it has identified the EU membership target as one of its top national priorities, and has formally applied for membership in February 2022, just days after the conflict with Russia escalated.
Despite receiving support from some member states, Ukraine's EU entry process still has no clear deadline. The European Commission stressed that Kiev needs to implement many extensive reforms in law, politics and economics.
Meanwhile, Russia - a country determined to opposes Ukraine's entry into NATO - has not opposed Kiev's EU entry goal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in February: "That is the sovereign right of each country. This is an issue related to integration and economic processes, so no one can impose anything on any country, and Russia will not do that.
