Hungary’s Orbán Claims EU Plans Ukraine Membership By 2027, Warns Central Europe Will Pay Price

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has claimed that European Union leaders were presented with plans to admit Ukraine into the bloc by 2027, warning that the move would divert billions of euros away from Central European nations ahead of the EU’s next long-term budget cycle.

Orbán’s remarks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his push for Ukraine to join the EU by 2027, a target strongly opposed by Hungary’s nationalist leader, widely seen as the most pro-Russian head of government within the European Union.

In video clips published by Hungary’s international spokesperson Zoltán Kovács, Orbán said that at the most recent EU summit, leaders received a document outlining what he described as Brussels’ intention to fast-track Ukraine’s accession.

“They want to admit Ukraine in 2027. This is because they want to give Ukraine money from the budget, the seven-year European budget starting in 2028,” Orbán said. “This means … it will be taken away from us, Central Europeans.”

‘BRUSSELS DIVERTING EU FUNDS’

Orbán argued that the EU has a limited window to bring Ukraine into the bloc before the start of the next seven-year budget framework, suggesting the timing is linked to financial planning rather than security considerations.

He reiterated his opposition to Ukrainian membership, claiming Ukraine “cannot protect Europe from Russia” and would not strengthen the continent but instead risk “dragging us into war.”

“The money that we give or want to give to Ukraine should be used to develop the armies and equipment of European countries,” Orbán said, insisting Europe’s defense line should be based on NATO borders rather than the Ukrainian-Russian front.

Orbán added that Ukraine should remain “in between the two blocs” as a buffer zone, a position sharply at odds with Kyiv’s Western-backed drive for deeper European integration.

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN FOCUS

Analysts say Orbán’s hardening stance must also be viewed in the context of Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary election, where the question of Ukraine and the war with Russia is expected to be a major campaign issue.

Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party is currently trailing the opposition Tisza party by about 10 percentage points in polling among decided voters, according to the latest survey by Zavecz Research published by Hungarian news outlet Telex.

The poll showed Tisza with 49 percent support, Fidesz at 39 percent, and the far-right Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) at 5 percent.

Orbán has repeatedly used the Ukraine war and fears of wider conflict as central themes in his domestic political messaging, presenting himself as the leader best positioned to keep Hungary out of direct confrontation with Russia.

UKRAINE DEBATES HUNGARY’S ELECTION YEAR

The European Union, however, has continued to back Ukraine politically, financially, and militarily, while numerous member states support eventual Ukrainian accession — though the process remains complex and highly contested.

Ukraine has argued that EU membership is vital for its long-term security and recovery, as it continues resisting Russia’s full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at Orbán at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, for Ukraine’s EU integration. “Every Viktor who lives off European money while trying to sell out European interests deserves a smack upside the head,” Zelenskyy told the delegates. “And if he feels comfortable in Moscow, it doesn’t mean European capitals should become little Moscows. We must keep Russia separate from all of us.”

In response, Prime Minister Orbán made clear that Kyiv seeks to undermine his government, but warned he will not accept outside interference.

‘KYIV ACCUSED OF OFFENSIVE REMARKS

“Last week, Ukrainian political leaders, including the president, expressed very offensive and threatening messages against Hungary and the Hungarian government,” Orbán added in video remarks monitored by Worthy News.

“Our national security agencies evaluated this latest Ukrainian attack and determined that these events are connected to a coherent Ukrainian organization, which they want to use to infiltrate the elections. But we cannot allow anyone to endanger the sovereignty of Hungary or the integrity of Hungarian elections,” the prime minister said.

Orbán added that he recommended his foreign minister summon the Ukrainian ambassador to explain that such threats will not be accepted.

His anti-Ukraine rhetoric is also part of his election campaign, including a national consultation asking Hungarians whether they want Ukraine to join the EU.
Orbán has warned that under a new liberal prime minister, Hungarians could be dragged into the war — a claim critics call fearmongering.

For now, the 62-year-old leader remains one of the most vocal opponents of Ukraine’s EU membership, warning that enlargement could come at the expense of Central European countries and could deepen Europe’s involvement in the conflict.

The dispute highlights widening divisions within the EU over how quickly Ukraine should be integrated into Western institutions amid the ongoing war.

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