Benio said, “It is very welcome that President Putin sees a place for Ukraine in the European Union,” according to a Western newspaper. In the same context, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said on Friday that Hungary still does not agree, although the Russian President does not oppose it. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly announced over the past two years that Budapest will not allow the European Union to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession, even if Hungary is the only country in the bloc with such a position.
He continued, “In fact, it is not in a position to start negotiations for joining the European Union.” The Hungarian leadership consistently opposes the launch. Orbán stated that Budapest suggests not including this issue on the meeting agenda at all, because it is clear in advance that there will be no agreement among the member states.
He also expressed the opinion that the possibility of Kyiv joining the union could be discussed in five to ten years, provided a strategic partnership agreement is concluded with the republic (Hungary).
