Hungary warns Ukraine’s EU accession would lead to war across Europe

The accession of Ukraine — currently engaged in an armed conflict with Russia — into the European Union at this stage would result in war spreading across the entire continent, Hungarian Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Minister Péter Szijjártó warned. 

He made this statement during a press conference in Budapest following a meeting with Kenyan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

Responding to questions from reporters, Szijjártó reiterated Hungary’s firm opposition to Ukraine’s rapid accession to the EU, emphasizing the country’s fragile economic state. “In such a situation, Ukraine's accession to the EU security system would have tragic consequences from an economic point of view, since the inclusion of a country involved in a military conflict in the integration process actually means the continuation of the war,” he explained.

The minister also recalled that Ukraine had previously received preferential economic and trade conditions from the EU, which he argued Kyiv had exploited to the detriment of European nations. “We can clearly see what consequences for our economy Ukraine's accession to the EU would have,” Szijjártó said.

Citing the example of grain exports, he pointed out: “Let’s remember that we allowed them to import grain through Central European countries and then send it to Africa. As a result, they brought grain here, which they threw on the market and ruined the farmers of Central Europe. They can say whatever they want, but we will represent the position of the Hungarian people in the debate on Ukraine’s integration into the EU.”

The Hungarian government had previously announced that following the EU summit on March 6, it would hold a national referendum on Ukraine’s EU accession. Budapest has pledged to follow the will of its citizens in discussions with Brussels regarding the issue.

Hungary has consistently voiced concerns that Ukraine’s immediate accession to the EU would cause severe damage to the European economy. Additionally, Budapest insists that Ukraine has yet to restore the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia and has not ceased actions that threaten the energy security of Central European countries—demands that Hungary has repeatedly raised during negotiations on Ukraine’s integration into European structures.

Despite these objections, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has suggested that he would consider supporting Ukraine’s EU membership in the long term — if Kyiv fully meets all accession requirements.

By Tamilla Hasanova