Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza movement, stated in Budapest that his group does not support a fast-track EU accession for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s EU Path Faces Hungarian Scrutiny
Peter Magyar addressed Ukraine’s EU membership during a Monday briefing in Budapest, declaring his grouping would not back a swift path for Kyiv. He emphasized that Ukraine should undergo the same procedures as other nations seeking EU entry.
Magyar stated that Ukraine must fulfill all the necessary requirements, just as every other candidate country has. Budapest, like most EU capitals, doesn’t rule out Ukraine’s membership but sees no immediate prospect of rapid accession.
Referendum Possibility Raised
Magyar added that even if Ukraine meets all conditions, a referendum in Hungary could be held on the final decision regarding its acceptance into the EU. He clarified that this is not an imminent prospect.
Shift in Hungarian Stance, But Not a Complete Reversal
Media outlets highlight that Magyar’s statement indicates that a change in power in Budapest will not automatically reverse all Hungarian positions towards Ukraine. He refers to Ukraine as a “victim of this war” while maintaining a firm stance on the pace of EU integration.
This is significant as Ukraine was a central theme in Viktor Orbán’s campaign, during which he blocked some EU decisions concerning aid to Kyiv. Orbán placed his allies in many key positions, and restoring the independence of these institutions will be a major challenge.