BUDAPEST, February 11. /TASS/. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has strongly criticized the European Union’s plans for Ukraine’s expedited accession, describing them as an "open declaration of war" against Budapest.
"They have decided that Ukraine will join the European Union as early as 2027," Orban wrote on his social media platforms. "This new plan is an outright declaration of war against Hungary." He further accused the EU and Ukraine of ignoring the will of the Hungarian people and seeking to undermine Hungary’s government by any means necessary.
Orban argues that those advocating for Ukraine’s EU membership aim to bring the opposition Tisza party to power, believing that such a shift would remove vetoes, resistance, and Hungary’s non-entry into broader conflicts. "Fidesz is the only force standing between Hungary and Brussels’ rule, and the sole guarantor of our sovereignty," he asserted.
Earlier, Politico reported, citing sources, that the EU is actively developing a five-step plan to accelerate Ukraine’s accession process, potentially paving the way for membership as early as 2027.
This political tension unfolds amid Hungary’s intense intra-party struggle ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, which will determine the formation of the next government. Prime Minister Orban’s ruling Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Alliance, along with its junior partners, the Christian Democrats, are vying against the opposition Tisza party. The Tisza party’s leader, MEP Peter Magyar, enjoys backing from EU leadership and the largest faction in the European Parliament, the European People’s Party.