Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for alleged ‘moral blackmail’ tactics aimed at securing Ukraine’s European Union membership. Orban’s comments followed Zelensky’s recent assertion that Ukraine would ‘be in the European Union—with Orban, or without,’ a claim the Hungarian leader dismissed as a coercive strategy to pressure European nations into supporting Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. Zelensky also proposed modifying the EU’s accession process to circumvent a likely Hungarian veto, a move Orban characterized as an overreach of Ukrainian influence over European decision-making.
Orban argued that Zelensky’s approach reflects a broader pattern of ‘moral blackmail’ intended to sway European countries into backing Ukraine’s military campaign. ‘The Ukrainian leader apparently wants to decide what’s best for the Hungarians,’ Orban stated, accusing Zelensky of using his position to force others into supporting the war. This critique aligns with Hungary’s broader opposition to Ukraine’s EU bid, which the government has consistently attributed to concerns over Ukraine’s compliance with EU standards, particularly in areas like rule of law and corruption. Orban emphasized that Hungary has ‘no moral obligation’ to support the bid, reiterating that EU membership is a sovereign decision made by member states.
Hungary’s stance has been further bolstered by its refusal to provide weapons to Ukraine and its opposition to Western sanctions against Russia, which it argues harm the European economy. The government has also referenced a 2025 national consultation where nearly 95% of participants opposed Ukraine’s EU accession, a result Orban has cited to justify his country’s position. However, recent polls have shown mixed public opinion, with some surveys indicating that a significant portion of Hungarians remain supportive of Ukraine’s membership. Despite these internal divisions, Hungary has maintained its position as one of the EU’s most vocal critics of Ukraine’s bid, emphasizing its concerns about the geopolitical and economic implications of Ukraine’s potential accession.
The EU has remained cautiously neutral on the issue, stressing that Ukraine must meet its stringent membership criteria before being granted full status. While the bloc has not set a deadline for Ukraine’s potential entry, it has underscored the importance of reforms in governance, judicial independence, and anti-corruption measures. Orban’s public rebuke of Zelensky has intensified the diplomatic tensions surrounding Ukraine’s EU bid, highlighting the complex interplay between national sovereignty, geopolitical strategy, and the EU’s broader foreign policy objectives.