Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned today that Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union would pose a “serious threat” to Hungary’s economic development.
Speaking at the opening of the final section of the M-44 motorway, Orban said the proposed EU fast-track plan for Ukraine—unveiled this week in Brussels—would redirect crucial EU and national funds away from Hungary.
“If this happens, all Hungarian taxpayers’ money would end up going to our eastern neighbor,” Orban declared, adding that “not only would we not receive the EU funds owed to us, but Hungarian budget money would also flow to Kyiv. Nothing would be built here for a long time—let alone a road.”
He called for a referendum on Ukraine’s EU accession, saying it will be the defining issue of Hungarian politics in the coming years.
“Brussels and the opposition Tisza party support Ukraine’s membership. We, the national forces, are firmly against it,” Orban stated.
The prime minister accused Brussels of wanting a pro-Ukrainian government in Budapest that would meet Kyiv’s demands, alleging an alliance between the EU and the Tisza Party that he claims endangers Hungary’s sovereignty and prosperity.
“The so-called Brussels-Tisza Pact is about weakening Hungary. By backing the Tisza Party, Brussels is threatening Hungarian development in order to push through economic and military aid for Ukraine.”
Orban’s statements deepen the political divide in Hungary over EU enlargement and signal growing resistance from nationalist forces against deeper EU-Ukraine integration.
