Current:Home > MarketsHungary’s Orbán says negotiations on Ukraine’s future EU membership should not move forward-InfoLens
Hungary’s Orbán says negotiations on Ukraine’s future EU membership should not move forward
View Date:2024-12-23 14:58:05
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s prime minister said Friday he does not support moving forward on negotiations on Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union, signaling again that his country could pose a major roadblock to Kyiv’s ambitions to join the bloc.
EU leaders are to decide in mid-December whether Ukraine should be formally invited to begin talks to join the 27-member union, with Hungary seen as a potential obstacle. Unanimity among all member states is required to admit a new country into the bloc, giving Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, a powerful veto.
The EU’s executive branch on Wednesday recommended that Ukraine should be permitted to open membership talks once it has addressed some shortfalls. But in an interview with state radio on Friday, Orbán said the embattled country is nowhere near gaining membership in the world’s largest trading bloc.
“Ukraine is in no way ready to negotiate on its ambitions to join the European Union,” Orbán said. “The clear Hungarian position is that the negotiations must not begin.”
Orbán’s government has refused to supply Ukraine with weapons in its war against Russia and has threatened to veto EU financial aid packages to Kyiv. It also accuses Ukraine of violating the rights of an ethnic Hungarian minority in western Ukraine by restricting its use of the Hungarian language in schools.
Hungary is also in a protracted struggle with the EU over alleged infractions of rule-of-law and human rights standards, which has resulted in billions of euros in EU funds being withheld.
Orbán denied that Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership talks was connected to the withheld funds and sought to dispel suspicions that his government was using its vote on Ukraine to pressure the EU to release them.
He added that his government would “not accept” pressure from the EU to support Ukraine’s membership bid in exchange for having the funds released.
In addition to Hungary, neighboring Slovakia could also pose an obstacle to Ukraine’s EU accession talks. Its newly elected prime minister, Robert Fico, has threatened to withdraw his country’s military support for Ukraine, and recently called its eastern neighbor “one of the most corrupt countries in the world.”
But in its Wednesday recommendation to proceed with EU accession talks with Kyiv, the European Commission lauded Ukraine, saying that its government “has shown a remarkable level of institutional strength, determination and ability to function.”
It said that talks should only start once it has addressed corruption, lobbying concerns, and restrictions that might prevent national minorities from studying and reading in their own language.
veryGood! (6998)
Related
- Atmospheric river to bring heavy snow, rain to Northwest this week
- Olympic gymnastics live updates: Simone Biles wins gold medal in all-around
- Protecting against floods, or a government-mandated retreat from the shore? New Jersey rules debated
- Who is Carlos Ortiz? Golfer in medal contention after Round 1 at 2024 Paris Olympics
- NFL coaches diversity report 2024: Gains at head coach, setbacks at offensive coordinator
- 10 reasons why Caitlin Clark is not on US women's basketball roster for 2024 Olympic
- Lance Bass Shares He Has Type 1.5 Diabetes After Being Misdiagnosed Years Ago
- Arkansas Supreme Court asked to disqualify ballot measure that would block planned casino
- Gun groups sue to overturn Maine’s new three-day waiting period to buy firearms
- Why Pregnant Cardi B’s Divorce From Offset Has Been a “Long Time Coming”
Ranking
- Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor
- Video shows dramatic rescue of crying Kansas toddler from bottom of narrow, 10-foot hole
- Bruce Willis and Wife Emma Heming's Daughters Look So Grown Up in New Video
- Marketing firm fined $40,000 for 2022 GOP mailers in New Hampshire
- New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election
- There are so few doctors in Maui County that even medical workers struggle to get care
- These 13 states don't tax retirement income
- Venu Sports may be available for $42.99 per month with its planned launch targeted for fall
Recommendation
-
Stop What You're Doing—Moo Deng Just Dropped Her First Single
-
Jamie Lee Curtis Apologizes for Toilet Paper Promotion Comments After Shading Marvel
-
Two couples drop wrongful death suit against Alabama IVF clinic and hospital
-
Transit officials say taxi driver drove onto tracks as train was approaching and was killed
-
Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
-
Biden’s new Title IX rules are all set to take effect. But not in these states.
-
What is August's birthstone? There's actually three. Get to know the month's gems.
-
Arkansas Supreme Court asked to disqualify ballot measure that would block planned casino