Orban Stresses Hungary's Need to Reform the EU Rather Than Exiting It

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that the country should seek to reform the European Union (EU) from within rather than exiting the bloc.

Speaking at his Fidesz party's congress, Orban criticized the existing European model as conceived in Brussels and emphasized Hungary's refusal to initiate EU accession talks with Ukraine, suggesting that Ukraine is not yet ready for membership.

He also vowed to block any efforts by the EU to impose migrant settlements in Hungary.

Orban, who is currently at odds with Brussels over frozen EU funds due to concerns about Hungary's commitment to democratic values, has recently voiced his disapproval of providing financial and military support to Ukraine.

Moreover, he has announced his stance against opening membership negotiations with Kyiv, directly opposing Ukraine's goal of EU accession, which intensified after Russia's 2022 invasion.

An EU summit scheduled for the following month will address the issue of Ukraine's EU accession, but Hungary's resistance poses a potential challenge to reaching a unanimous decision among the 27 EU member states.

As inflation woes begin to recede, Orban has launched a robust campaign for the European parliamentary elections set for June.

His government recently distributed a survey to Hungarian citizens, questioning the redirection of EU funds to Ukraine and the prospect of Ukrainian EU membership.

Orban reaffirmed his commitment to counter what he terms the 'dangerous policies' of Brussels' officials, including their stance on immigration, 'gender propaganda,' misconceptions regarding the Ukrainian war, and Ukraine's readiness for EU accession.

His party, which has been in power since 2010, remains aligned with his nationalist rhetoric.