US EditionOrbán Accuses Zelenskyy of 'Moral Blackmail' Over EU Bid
Hungary’s veto stems from concerns over minority rights and economic impacts; a 2025 government poll showed 95% of Hungarians oppose Ukraine’s EU accession.
- On Oct. 6, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of using his `usual tactic of moral blackmail` and said `no country has ever blackmailed its way into the EU`.
- Under domestic pressure, Budapest has blocked Ukraine's accession, citing language rights concerns and a 2025 Voks national consultation that officials say showed about 95% opposition; independent polls show mixed views.
- Kyiv maintains that Ukraine met technical requirements to open accession talks, but the July 22 incident damaged European Commission confidence in its reforms.
- Several EU leaders, including Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, signalled willingness to bypass Budapest, while the European Union may rethink unanimity rules if Hungary’s obstruction continues, risking Moscow’s narrative that Western promises are hollow.
- Seen broadly, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's pro-Russian stance, Hungary's refusal to send weapons, and Druzhba oil pipeline tensions could reshape Ukraine's reforms and EU enlargement institutions.
55 Articles
55 Articles
Orbán: Ukraine Won’t Blackmail Its Way into the EU - Hungarian Conservative
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hit back at Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian leader vowed his country would join the EU ‘with Orbán or without him.’ Orbán accused Zelenskyy of ‘moral blackmail’, stressing that accession requires unanimous approval by member states and recalling Hungarians’ overwhelming rejection of Ukraine’s bid.
The Hungarian Prime Minister continues to give the warning: “Whoever tries to make me change my mind will not be making friends.” The Hungarian government repeats that the people have already rejected this plan in reference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is using "moral blackmail tactics" against Hungary to push Ukraine's bid to join the European Union (EU), Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday, The Kyiv Independent reports.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is using a "moral blackmail tactic" against Hungary to promote Ukraine's candidacy for EU membership, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on October 6.
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