Hungary: Ruling Party Moves to Oppose Ukraine's EU Entry

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Facts

  • Fidesz, Hungary's ruling party, submitted a draft resolution to the country's parliament on Wednesday, calling on the government to reject talks concerning Ukraine's potential membership of the European Union.1
  • Previously, Prime Minister Viktor Orban had alleged that the European Commission's proposal for Ukraine's accession was 'unfounded and poorly prepared.'2
  • According to the resolution, Kyiv has yet to meet the EU's accession criteria, and 'there can't be any exceptions because of current political or ideological considerations.'3
  • Stressing that the EU's 'expansion policy' should 'remain an objective process' based upon 'rules and performance,' the resolution also requested consideration of the effect Ukraine's entry into the EU would have on 'cohesion and agricultural policies.'4
  • Furthermore, Fidesz's resolution insists that Hungary will not change its stance 'under any pressure,' and warned that proposals to begin negotiations with Ukraine at the EU's summit in Brussels next week should be 'taken off the agenda.'5
  • Last month, Hungary's foreign ministry announced that it would block the European Peace Facility's next installment of military aid for Kyiv until it received 'guarantees' that Hungarian companies wouldn't be blacklisted as 'international sponsors of war.'6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Politico, 3Daily News Hungary, 4Reuters, 5European Pravda and 6The Kyiv Independent.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by European Conservative. Aside from its unstable democratic foundations, Kyiv is currently at war with a European neighbor. The EU had arrogantly hoped that Hungary would relent in its objections to bloc membership despite these issues not being addressed. Hungary is not against EU expansion, but it's unfair to funnel Ukraine into joining ahead of a plethora of other Baltic nations who have waited decades for their applications to be justly considered. Self-serving geopolitical intentions shouldn't sway EU membership criteria.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Kyiv Post. It's hypocritical for Hungary to reject Ukraine's current conditions for EU membership when Budapest faced a similar scenario with its application in 1994. It's unfavorable for Hungary to have a weak nation like Ukraine as its neighbor, especially with Russia knocking at Europe's door. Orban is either in Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin's pocket, or, despite what has been outwardly stated, is looking for heavy concessions from Europe in return for their approval.

Predictions