Zelensky addresses Orban: Keep us out of your voting affairs

Flipping the Script on Ukraine's EU Aspirations

President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken a shot at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, accusing him of messing around with Ukraine's elections and doing some risky business.

In the heat of the debate, Zelensky accused Orbán of dragging Ukraine into his elections, claiming that he's doing so by blocking Ukraine's way into the EU. He argued that this tactic isn't going to work because the people in Europe support Ukraine.

The president also called out Orbán for his questionable actions, stating that he's doing some highly dangerous things that aren't good for the EU. According to Zelensky, Ukraine has informed its partners about these unacceptable activities.

Zelensky believes that Orbán doesn't have a right to block Ukraine's EU entry as it's another country's choice. Similarly, Ukraine has no right to interfere in Hungary's affairs.

It's worth mentioning that Ukraine and the European Commission had high hopes for the pace of accessions talks in 2025, but a Hungarian veto has put a damper on those plans.

After talks in Budapest on April 29, Ukraine and Hungary agreed on regular consultations to get the accessions talks back on track. However, Budapest held a consultative referendum on Ukraine's EU accession, and Orbán himself voted against it.

Recent developments and ongoing issues between President Zelensky and Prime Minister Orbán revolve around differences in opinion and policy regarding Ukraine's potential membership in the European Union. Orbán's vocal opposition to Ukraine's rapid accession, based on economic risks and potential threats to Hungary, has created a barrier for Ukraine's accession plans[1][3].

Despite Orbán's stance, a significant majority of Hungarian citizens, reportedly 70%, support Ukraine's accession to the EU, according to an opposition poll referenced by President Zelensky[2][4][5].

This ongoing tension highlights the complexities and political maneuvering involved in Ukraine's pursuit of EU membership, as well as the differing views between key European leaders on the matter[4].

Viktor Orbán's actions in interfering with Ukraine's elections and blocking Ukraine's EU aspirations have been criticized by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who believes that this is a dangerous tactic that won't work because the general news shows that the people in Europe support Ukraine.
In a statement, Zelensky accused Orbán of doing risky business and performing highly dangerous activities that aren't good for the EU, and he has informed the EU partners of these unacceptable actions.
The ongoing tension between Zelensky and Orbán revolves around differences in opinion and policy regarding Ukraine's potential membership in the European Union, with Orbán's vocal opposition to Ukraine's rapid accession creating a barrier for Ukraine's accession plans.
Interfax reported that a significant majority of Hungarian citizens, around 70%, support Ukraine's accession to the EU, according to an opposition poll referenced by President Zelensky.
Despite this support, the policy-and-legislation surrounding Ukraine's EU accession has been stalled due to Hungarian vetoes, such as the one that occurred in 2025, which put a damper on the pace of accession talks set by Ukraine and the European Commission.