Orbán: “Ukraine will bring war to the EU and destroy its economy”

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called the start of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations a mistake, saying it could bring war to Europe and destroy the continent’s economy.

He made the statement at a press conference in Brussels, which was broadcast by the Hungarian television channel HirTV.

Speaking to journalists, Orbán stressed that his party, Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union, regards the start of EU enlargement to include Ukraine as a mistake. He said he remains categorically opposed to Ukraine’s admission to the EU.

“I am convinced that Ukraine should not be admitted to the European Union. Ukraine will bring war to the EU and destroy the union’s economy. We continue to oppose Ukraine’s membership in the European Union,” — Orbán said at the press conference.

Orbán’s position diverges from the course of Hungary’s current political leadership. It was previously reported that under the country’s new leadership, Budapest supports Kyiv’s EU membership, but without accelerated procedures. Hungary’s incumbent Prime Minister Péter Magyar proposed viewing the question of Ukraine’s accession over a 10–15 year horizon, warning that “nothing will stop another EU member from taking Kyiv’s accession process hostage in the future.”

Recently, the Hungarian parliament blocked Orbán’s return to the post of prime minister.