Brussels has expressed hope that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will lose next year’s elections, as his government continues to block Ukraine’s accession talks with the European Union, according to reports.
Hungary has consistently opposed providing military aid to Ukraine and criticized EU sanctions against Russia, while also rejecting the prospect of Kiev joining the bloc. The EU leadership faces challenges in overcoming Budapest’s veto, which has stalled formal negotiations for Ukraine’s membership.
Sources indicate that current efforts to bypass Hungary’s opposition have failed, with officials acknowledging the complexity of the situation. Some suggest that Brussels plans to complete preparatory work in advance, anticipating a potential shift in power following Orban’s expected defeat in the 2026 parliamentary elections.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently called for reducing reliance on unanimous decisions in foreign policy, advocating for qualified majority voting. Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has accused EU leaders of conspiring to destabilize national governments, a claim echoed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
Szijjarto also warned that Ukraine’s accession would strain the EU financially and harm its agricultural sector, a stance previously emphasized by Orban. In June, Hungary blocked a joint EU statement on Ukraine, halting progress on membership talks due to the requirement for unanimous approval.
