Hungary's Orbán throws wrench in EU-Ukraine accession talks

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vehemently opposed the inclusion of Ukraine's accession talks in the upcoming European Council summit on December 14-15, potentially derailing a decision that could shape Ukraine's European future. Orbán's objections introduce an element of uncertainty to Ukraine's aspirations and the broader dynamics of EU decision-making.

Hungarian premier Viktor Orbán took to social media, declaring on X (formerly Twitter): "It is clear that the proposal of the @EU_Commission on Ukraine’s EU accession is unfounded and poorly prepared. There is no place for it on the agenda of the December #EUCO!" This firm stance sets the stage for a clash within the European Union.
In a letter addressed to European Council President Charles Michel, Orbán called for a "strategic discussion" on Ukraine's European aspirations before making any decisions. He cautioned that pushing for a decision without adequate deliberation could fracture EU unity. The European Commission had previously endorsed Ukraine's progress and recommended the initiation of accession talks.

Start of accession talks
The upcoming summit was expected to see EU leaders approving a plan to commence negotiations on Ukraine joining the bloc. However, Orbán's objection, if successful, could stall this process. Critical decisions on EU enlargement and the review of the long-term budget, including a substantial 50 billion euros ($54.1 billion) in aid for Kyiv, necessitate unanimous agreement from all 27 member countries.
Orbán, in his letter, urged restraint: "I respectfully urge you not to invite the European Council to decide on these matters in December as the obvious lack of consensus would inevitably lead to failure." Although he did not explicitly mention a veto, the implicit threat looms large.
Ukraine, grappling with the devastating impact of Russia's invasion, is banking on EU funds to stabilize its war-stricken economy. The European Commission's endorsement for accession talks was contingent on Ukraine addressing governance issues, such as corruption and minority rights. Orbán, however, contends that Ukraine is far from ready for EU membership, asserting that it would not align with Hungary's interests.

Consistent opposition
Orbán, often viewed as a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has consistently opposed EU sanctions on Russia and delayed financial aid to Kyiv. He argues that accession talks should not commence with a country at war, further contending that Ukraine's membership would disrupt the EU's fund distribution among member states.
In his letter, Orbán criticized the commission's proposal, claiming it signals the end of the EU's enlargement policy as an objective and merit-based instrument. Additionally, he denounced the mid-term review of the 2021-27 budget as an "unsubstantiated, unbalanced, and unrealistic proposal."
The Hungarian leader has long been at loggerheads with the Commission over rule of law and corruption concerns in Hungary. The EU froze funding to Budapest over these issues, although recent weeks have seen some funds being released. Despite this, Orbán's objections to Ukraine's accession talks remain steadfast.
In his statement on X, the Hungarian prime minister contended that talks about Ukraine's EU membership "do not align with the interests of many states, particularly Hungary's." He urged the Commission to "retract their plan, thoroughly prepare it, and return only when a consensus has been reached."