Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban: Budapest could deny Ukraine EU membership '75 more times'

Hungarian Prime Minister Vitor Orban said Budapest would not block EU member states from deciding to negotiate with Ukraine when it proposed joining the union. According to Mr. Orban, Hungary will have the opportunity to block the process "75 more times", and the final decision will be made by a resolution of the 27 member states of the union.

According to Mr Orban, until the issue reaches Parliament, it will be a very long process. The Hungarian leader described the process as lasting 75 years, spanning many Hungarian governments.

Posting on social media on December 15, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Hungary blocked 50 billion euros in EU aid to Ukraine over the next four years, forcing other member states to continue discussing the issue next year.

Previously, on December 14, President of the European Council Charles Michel surprised everyone when he announced the decision of the group of 27 countries to open negotiations to join the European Union (EU) with Ukraine.

EU member states have agreed to launch membership talks with Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly calling it "a victory for Ukraine and for all of Europe".

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban criticized the launch of negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership, calling it a "senseless, illogical and wrong decision." However, Mr. Orban did not use his veto power, but abstained and left the meeting room to let the remaining EU leaders decide on the issue./.