Hungary has firmly stated that its endorsement of Ukraine’s EU membership will be contingent on the results of a domestic referendum. Minister for European Affairs János Bóka emphasized in an interview on Hungarian television that Ukraine must acknowledge and respect this prerequisite. He argued that the European Union’s approach to Ukraine remains rooted in decisions made at the outset of the war, even though geopolitical dynamics have significantly shifted since then.
Bóka pointed out that the United States and Russia have established direct communication, shaping a new geopolitical order in which Russia plays an active role. He suggested that the EU should adapt to these changes and pursue mutually beneficial relationships rather than adhering to outdated policies. However, he believes the EU has failed to engage in meaningful debate about the objectives and duration of its support for Ukraine. Instead, he contends that the agenda is being driven by federalists seeking to deepen EU integration and expand defence policy to the European level. In contrast, Hungary aims to encourage open discussions about the real implications of supporting Ukraine’s EU accession, with a national referendum guiding the government’s stance on the matter.
‘The EU has failed to engage in meaningful debate about the objectives and duration of its support for Ukraine’
Later this week, European leaders will gather in Paris to discuss a new security framework and potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Bóka noted that this is not an official EU summit, as no consensus exists within the bloc on these issues. While Hungary supports strengthening defence capabilities, it insists that such measures should remain at the national level rather than being centralized within the EU. He stressed that countries should maintain their own military readiness, and while flexible EU budgetary rules to support defence spending would be welcome, Hungary does not support the creation of new EU powers or additional joint borrowing.
In a separate interview on public Kossuth Radio, Bóka discussed his recent meeting with the EU’s new Commissioner for Rule of Law. He acknowledged the importance of dialogue, noting that while discussions were open and candid, fundamental disagreements remain. He proposed simplifying Hungary’s relationship with the European Commission by ensuring that the Commission focuses solely on matters within its jurisdiction, applies its standards equally across member states, and increases transparency regarding its financial support for NGOs and media platforms.
Bóka also took a firm stance against external influence, warning that the European Commission should not attempt to take over funding previously provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This remark reflects ongoing concerns in Hungary about foreign influence in domestic affairs, reinforcing the government’s stance on maintaining national sovereignty in both EU policy and broader geopolitical matters.
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