According to diplomatic sources, former U.S. President Donald Trump has convinced Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to abandon his blockade of the start of negotiations regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. This news is reported with references to sources in diplomatic circles, but the details of Trump’s influence on the Hungarian leader remain unknown. Orban himself has not publicly commented on these reports so far.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Hungary’s position on Ukraine’s EU membership
Viktor Orban has repeatedly opposed Ukraine’s accession to the EU, arguing that the country is supposedly not ready for membership, has undefined borders, and that the integration process could lead to war between the European Union and Russia. In the past, Budapest has blocked EU decisions to support Kyiv and hindered the continuation of sanctions against the Russian Federation. At the same time, Orban has stated that he would support the accession of the Republic of Moldova, which applied for membership alongside Ukraine.
Trump’s role and the prospects for negotiations
As reported by Bloomberg, the appeal to Donald Trump to influence Orban’s position was initiated by European politicians. Currently, diplomats express hope that the political blockage of granting Ukraine candidate status will be overcome in the coming months, and a decision on opening negotiations for Kyiv and Chisinau’s accession to the EU may be made soon.
“Ukraine will not join the European Union through blackmail, explosions, and threats,” Orban previously stated.
Relations between Kyiv and Budapest have soured following attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, through which Hungary receives oil from Russia. Orban viewed these events as a threat and sharply commented on Ukraine’s actions. In response, Kyiv advised Hungary to diversify its energy resource supplies.