Hungary reaffirmed its opposition on Wednesday to plans to advance Ukraine's bid to join the European Union, setting the stage for a clash at an EU leaders' summit this week.
BUDAPEST/BRUSSELS, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Hungary reaffirmed its opposition on Wednesday to plans to advance Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union, setting the stage for a clash at an EU leaders’ summit this week.
“Considering the numbers, economic analyses and taking it seriously that talks (with Ukraine) would aim to grant membership … then we must say that this thought at the moment is absurd, ridiculous and not serious,” Orban said.
His comments contrasted sharply with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who urged the 27-member bloc to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes” following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February last year.
Orban has threatened to veto proposals to allow Kyiv to start accession talks and to receive substantial financial and military aid from the EU budget.
Orban, who says the rights of tens of thousands of his ethnic kin living in western Ukraine are being denied, disputed this interpretation.
The Commission is meanwhile expected to unlock Hungary’s access to 10 billion euros this week that had previously been frozen over concerns Budapest had damaged democratic checks and balances in the country.
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BUDAPEST/BRUSSELS, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Hungary reaffirmed its opposition on Wednesday to plans to advance Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union, setting the stage for a clash at an EU leaders’ summit this week.
“Considering the numbers, economic analyses and taking it seriously that talks (with Ukraine) would aim to grant membership … then we must say that this thought at the moment is absurd, ridiculous and not serious,” Orban said.
His comments contrasted sharply with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who urged the 27-member bloc to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes” following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February last year.
Orban has threatened to veto proposals to allow Kyiv to start accession talks and to receive substantial financial and military aid from the EU budget.
Orban, who says the rights of tens of thousands of his ethnic kin living in western Ukraine are being denied, disputed this interpretation.
The Commission is meanwhile expected to unlock Hungary’s access to 10 billion euros this week that had previously been frozen over concerns Budapest had damaged democratic checks and balances in the country.
The original article contains 497 words, the summary contains 186 words. Saved 63%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!