The Ukrainian president did not mince his words Volodymyr Zelensky for the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban regarding the stance taken by Vladimir Putin’s ally on Kiev’s accession path to the European Union.
In particular, Volodymyr Zelenskiy today (04.11.2025) called on Viktor Orban to “not prevent” his country from joining the European Union.
“We would really like the Hungarian prime minister to support us or at least not block us,” he said during a conference on EU enlargement organized by Euronews in Brussels.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has harshly criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for blocking his country’s ambitions to join the European Union, describing his unwavering veto as “specific support” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.#EnlargementSummit pic.twitter.com/hXeHKtbwlP
— euronews (@euronews) November 4, 2025
Ukraine’s EU accession process, which began swiftly and decisively the day after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has stalled for several months although it has signs that it can evolve in a positive way, according to the Commission.
This n accession process, long and complicated, requires the unanimity of the 27 member countries at each new stage. But the Hungarian prime minister decided to de facto “freeze” the accession process by making use of his right of veto.
Orban, who cultivates close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, says that Ukraine’s entry into the EU will “damage” the EU. Without the Hungarian Prime Minister’s green light, no progress can be made.
“I don’t think I have anything to offer Viktor Orban,” Zelensky said, citing this blockage. “I think Viktor Orban has something to offer Ukraine, which today protects all of Europe from Russia.”
Orban never hid his opposition to this candidacy, considering for many reasons that Ukraine, a country bordering his own, is not ready to join the EU. For several years, this opposition remained silent.
In a now-famous diplomatic issue in December 2023, Orbán had even agreed to walk out of the 27 leaders’ summit when his counterparts decided to open negotiations with Kiev.
Negotiations officially began on June 25, 2024.
However, just months before parliamentary elections in Hungary, the already sensitive issue of Ukraine has become explosive. And its EU membership has stalled.