BUDAPEST, March 20. /TASS/. Hungary is the only EU country that openly opposes fast-tracking Ukraine’s membership into the union, but behind closed doors, other EU members share this position, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is taking part in an EU summit, said.
"When the time comes to speak openly and honestly, only Hungary opposes Ukraine's membership in the EU, but there are more of us on the sidelines. Well, sooner or later this voice will be carried from the sidelines to the meeting room," he told the Patriot news portal.
He confirmed that at the EU summit, he would speak out against Ukraine's swift accession to the European Union. According to him, a referendum on this issue will be held in Hungary, after which Budapest can form its official position and present it to Brussels. After that, the discussion can be continued, Orban believes.
In recent days, he has repeatedly warned that Hungary will not allow Ukraine's immediate accession to the EU, claiming this would cause irreparable damage to the European economy. In addition, Budapest believes that the Ukrainian authorities have not restored the rights to the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia and have not stopped actions threatening the energy security of Central Europe. Budapest put forward these demands when discussing Kiev's integration into European structures. Orban additionally explained that if Ukraine meets all membership requirements, he will support its admission to the EU in the future.