(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has issued a stern warning that granting European Union membership to Ukraine would directly entangle the bloc in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Orban’s comments came in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who criticized Hungary for blocking Kiev’s EU accession and accused Budapest of providing “very specific support” to Russia by hindering Ukraine’s bid.

Orban countered, posting on X that Hungary “will not support Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, because it would bring the war into Europe and take the money of Hungarians out to Ukraine.” He stressed that EU enlargement requires the unanimous consent of all 27 member states, giving each country the sovereign right to approve or oppose the admission of a new member.

Highlighting Hungary’s neutral stance in the conflict, Orban said the country’s security is safeguarded by its own military and NATO, noting that Ukraine is not a NATO member. While Budapest has refrained from sending military aid to Ukraine, it has contributed €200 million ($230 million) in humanitarian assistance. Orban insisted that Hungary “did not owe Ukraine anything” and reiterated his preference for a diplomatic resolution to the war.

Ukraine was granted EU candidate status after the escalation of the conflict in 2022, and Zelensky has repeatedly urged the bloc to accelerate accession talks. Hungary has consistently opposed the move, and a June referendum showed overwhelming public resistance, with 95% of voters rejecting Ukraine’s potential EU membership.

Orban’s remarks underscore the growing divide within the EU over Ukraine’s accession, reflecting concerns that extending membership to a country at war could entangle the bloc militarily and financially while raising broader security risks for member states.

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