(Source : United24 media)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Budapest will not support the opening of the first cluster of accession talks on Ukraine’s path to the European Union.
He made the remarks after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen, according to Hungarian outlet Index on August 30.
Szijjártó said Hungary would not allow what he described as an attempt to “push through” Ukraine’s membership, arguing that accession could harm Hungarian farmers, undermine food security, and increase risks of criminal infiltration.
“That is why we will not allow the opening of the substantive part of accession negotiations, meaning the concrete chapters,” he said.
The minister added that Hungary faces pressure from other EU members to back Ukraine’s accelerated accession process and to support additional sanctions on Russia.
He emphasized that the Hungarian government intends to shield the country’s economy and population from what he described as the “negative consequences of the war.”
Hungary has repeatedly voiced opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership throughout 2025. In June, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referred to Ukraine as an “uncertain entity,” claiming that its accession would amount to a state of war between the EU and Russia. Orbán has previously called Ukraine a “buffer state” and said it poses a “serious threat” to Hungary.
Earlier this summer, the Hungarian government launched a public campaign, including video messages portraying Ukraine’s accession as a danger.
These materials alleged links between Ukraine and organized crime, and featured images of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelenskyy responded that he had not given permission for the use of his image in Orbán’s political messaging.
Budapest also organized a consultative referendum on Ukraine’s membership between April and June 2025. According to the Hungarian government, about 95 percent of the two million participants voted against Ukraine joining the EU. The turnout represented 29 percent of registered voters.
Hungary has blocked the start of accession clusters since early 2025, maintaining that Ukraine’s membership would be a burden both for the EU and Hungary.