Hungary challenges EU's Ukraine membership ambitions Insists on Western Balkans first

Hungary has stated that it will not allow Ukraine to join the European Union before the countries of the Western Balkans, which are much better prepared for EU membership.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó made the announcement during a press conference following a meeting with Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanović in Budapest, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Szijjártó reminded that Ukraine has been seeking EU membership for just over two years, while some Western Balkan countries have been waiting for more than ten. Despite this, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently stated that Ukraine is expected to join the EU by 2030.

Szijjártó, however, expressed Hungary’s firm opposition to this, calling it unacceptable and rejecting what he described as double standards.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that Western Balkan countries are in far better shape than Ukraine in every regard, making it unthinkable for Ukraine to join the EU before any of them. He added that the accession of Western Balkan countries would benefit the EU, whereas Ukraine’s accession could pose risks and potentially harm the European economy and agriculture.

In light of these double standards, Szijjártó indicated that the Hungarian people must have a say on Ukraine’s potential EU membership. The Hungarian government previously announced plans to hold a referendum on the issue, with the results guiding the country’s consultations with Brussels.

By Aghakazim Guliyev