Media: Orban–Zelensky dispute slows Ukraine’s path to EU membership

Disagreements between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are increasingly seen as a factor slowing Ukraine’s progress toward membership in the European Union, according to a report by Berliner Zeitung published on February 14.

The newspaper writes that several EU countries are concerned that accelerating Ukraine’s accession could provoke tensions with Russia and negatively affect the European economy. Against this backdrop, political differences between Budapest and Kyiv have emerged as a significant obstacle in the accession process.

Orban has repeatedly stressed that decisions on enlargement rest with existing member states, stating that “member states set the conditions (for accession), not the candidate countries.” He has also argued that joining the European Union must depend exclusively on the achievements and merits demonstrated by the applicant country.

Zelenskyy, for his part, has said Ukraine should be technically ready to join the bloc by 2027. He has proposed that this objective be закрепed in a future settlement agreement he hopes to sign with the leaders of the United States, Russia and Europe. According to the Ukrainian president, the absence of clear guarantees on EU membership could allow Russia to influence the integration process through “representatives in Europe.”

The Hungarian government has repeatedly warned that a rushed admission of Ukraine could lead to military escalation and economic losses for Europe. Budapest has also alleged that Brussels and Kyiv are considering mechanisms that would contradict the European Union’s legal framework.

Tensions escalated further after Orban publicly criticised Zelenskyy’s approach, figuratively saying that the Ukrainian leader is “riding the horse backwards.” The Hungarian government echoed the remark on its social media accounts, emphasising that, in Orban’s view, Kyiv is pursuing the wrong course regarding EU accession.

By Tamilla Hasanova