(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that Ukraine joining NATO would instantly spark an all-out war with Russia, potentially triggering World War III. He also urged caution regarding Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union.

Budapest has consistently opposed Brussels’ policies related to the conflict in Ukraine, including arms shipments and sanctions against Russia. The Hungarian government has repeatedly argued against integrating Ukraine into both NATO and the EU.

In a social media post on Saturday, Orban wrote that Ukrainian membership in NATO “would mean war with Russia, and World War 3 the very next day.” He further warned that the “EU’s reckless rush to admit Ukraine would pull the frontlines into the heart of Europe.”

Describing the EU leadership’s approach as “insanity,” Orban vowed not to “let them turn Europe into a battlefield.”

This post followed an interview with Hungarian media on Friday, in which Orban expressed concerns that EU membership for Ukraine would damage the entire bloc, including Hungary’s economy. He also highlighted worries about cheap Ukrainian agricultural products undermining Hungarian farmers.

Orban pointed out that Ukraine’s borders and population will remain uncertain as long as the conflict with Russia continues, making EU membership impractical at this stage.

On Thursday, Hungary vetoed a joint EU statement on Ukraine during the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, effectively blocking the start of accession talks for Kiev. According to EU rules, all 27 member states must unanimously agree to begin the process.

The EU plans to revisit the issue at the council’s next meeting in October, as noted in a recent communique.

Orban referenced a nationwide consultative vote held in Hungary from mid-April to June 20, which asked citizens if they supported Ukraine joining the EU. According to him, 95% of more than two million voters opposed Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations.

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