Hungary’s Orbán sets century-long opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has pledged to prevent Ukraine from joining the European Union, following an EU summit in Brussels.

Speaking at a press conference, Orbán said the EU had accepted Ukraine’s claim for $800 billion in aid, describing the decision as “a nuclear-sized shock,” Caliber.Az reports via Hungarian media.

He criticised Brussels for what he called “pouring money into the war,” and said Hungary would oppose both Kyiv’s accession and EU budgets that channel funds to Ukraine.

Responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has criticised Hungary’s stance, Orbán said: “There will not be a Hungarian parliament in the next hundred years that votes in favour of Ukraine joining the European Union.”

He accused pro-Ukraine parties in Hungary of seeking to influence the country’s politics to allow Kyiv’s EU membership.

Orbán also reiterated that Hungary’s opposition is not only about financial support but the accession timetable itself. “This is not just about billions of dollars; it is about when Ukraine would join. Hungary opposes this, and we will block it,” he said.

The prime minister briefly addressed his recent Davos trip, where he and US President Donald Trump launched a Board of Peace aimed at resolving global conflicts. While Hungary is backing the initiative alongside Bulgaria, Orbán said most of the EU is uncertain how to respond.

By Aghakazim Guliyev