Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister believes that ”strong states” will not allow Hungary to veto Ukraine’s EU accession

Olha Stefanishyna. Photo: Stefanishyna on Facebook

Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration,  expressed hope that EU members would not allow Hungary to block the start of negotiations with Ukraine on joining the EU.

Source: Stefanishyna in an interview with Sofiia Sereda, journalist of Ukrainska Pravda, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The official admitted that Hungary has a “legal opportunity” to block the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union at a summit in mid-December. She called “alarming” the fact that the European Commissioner for Hungary at one of the recent events did not mention the European Commission’s recommendation on negotiations whatsoever. 

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Quote: “But I think that Hungary’s veto is much more important for strong EU states than for Ukraine. Because the future of Europe is at stake – from Albania to Chisinau – and the understanding that the decisions that are being made now affect stability in Europe in general,” she added.

Stefanishyna explained that after Ukraine’s victory, Europe should “cement this victory on the continent” and neutralise other possible conflicts.

“And therefore I am sure that the most influential and progressive EU states will not allow Hungary to be at the centre of all events, because the future of Europe should be at the centre of events,” the vice prime minister concluded.

On 8 November, the European Commission recommended that the European Council begin accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine. The final decision on the start of negotiations should be made by the leaders of the member countries at a meeting on 14-15 December.

In recent days, there have been signals from the EU that the Union may not support the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession during the December summit. There is allegedly a possibility of postponing this decision until March due to a lack of unity in the European Union. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the European Union should not start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, adding that this is Hungary’s “clear” stance.

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