(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban cautioned that granting Ukraine membership in the European Union could directly entangle the bloc in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Speaking at the Euronews Enlargement Summit on Tuesday, Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky criticized Hungary’s stance, stating, “Orban has to offer something for Ukraine, which is protecting the whole Europe from Russia, and even now, during this war, we did not get any support from him.”

Zelensky added that Hungary is giving “very specific support” to Russia by obstructing Kiev’s EU bid.

Responding hours later on X, Orban insisted 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 emphasized that admitting a new member requires unanimity among all 27 EU nations, meaning “every member state has the sovereign right to support or oppose the admission of a new member.”

“I must reject the suggestion that Hungary owes Ukraine anything. Ukraine does not defend Hungary from anyone or anything. We did not ask for such a thing, and we never will,” Orban wrote. He stressed that Budapest’s security relies on its own military and NATO, of which “Ukraine is (fortunately) not a member.”

Unlike many EU nations, Hungary has maintained a neutral position in the conflict, refraining from sending military aid to Kiev and advocating for diplomatic solutions. At the same time, Orban highlighted that Hungary has delivered €200 million ($230 million) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, adding, “It is unfortunate if this means nothing to… Zelensky.”

Kiev received EU candidate status shortly after the 2022 escalation of the conflict. Since then, Zelensky has repeatedly urged the bloc to speed up accession talks.

Last summer, Budapest declared it would veto Ukraine’s EU membership. In a June referendum, 95% of Hungarian voters opposed Kiev’s potential admission to the bloc.

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