Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have engaged in an increasingly intense war of words in recent days, after the former—while spreading factually incorrect disinformation—accused the latter of blocking Ukraine’s fast-track accession to the European Union for domestic political gain.
According to Zelenskyy, an overwhelming majority of Hungarians—some 70 per cent—support Kyiv’s EU bid, referring to an ‘open survey’ initiated by the opposition. ‘The people of Hungary are with us. You know he conducted his own survey—supposedly showing people were against it. He controlled that poll. But there’s another poll, and it shows 70 per cent in favour of Ukraine,’ Zelenskyy said during a conversation with journalists.
The Ukrainian president was most likely referring to the ‘Voice of the Nation’ national consultation-style survey launched in March by Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar and his party, Respect and Freedom (Tisza). Among the 13 questions was one regarding Ukraine’s EU membership. However, the actual results fall far short of Zelenskyy’s claim—only 58 per cent of Tisza supporters voted ‘yes’, signalling division even among opposition voters, let alone in wider Hungarian society.
Hungary’s governing party, Fidesz, has also launched a public vote on the issue, which will conclude in early June. Prime Minister Orbán stated in March that he would block any initiative related to Ukraine’s accession until the results of the consultation are known.
Zelenskyy went further, levelling accusations and warnings at Orbán. ‘We see it, and we’re watching closely. We’re communicating with our other partners and signalling that what he’s doing is dangerous for the European Union. He may be opposed, but taking steps to block our accession—he has no right to do that. Because that’s the sovereign choice of another country. Just as we have no right to interfere in Hungary’s affairs,’ the Ukrainian president said.
This statement, in itself, reflects a complete misunderstanding on Zelenskyy’s part of how the European Union—an organization his country seeks to join—actually functions. To become a member, a candidate country requires unanimous approval from all existing member states. It is not a unilateral, sovereign decision of the applicant country. Zelenskyy might consider asking the Western Balkan states about this—some of which have been waiting for over two decades to join the EU, in stark contrast to Ukraine’s two-year candidacy.
‘There will never be a situation where Kyiv or Brussels dictates how Hungarians exercise their rightful sovereignty’
Orbán responded to Zelenskyy’s remarks in the Hungarian Parliament on Monday, stating that Ukraine had reached an agreement with Brussels on accelerated EU accession and now expects Hungary to ratify it. ‘Zelenskyy wants a Ukraine-friendly government in Hungary. Those who are agents of Brussels are also friends of Zelenskyy,’ he said.
The Prime Minister made it clear that this expectation would not be fulfilled. ‘There will never be a situation where Kyiv or Brussels dictates how Hungarians exercise their rightful sovereignty,’ he declared, adding that Ukraine’s accession would bankrupt Hungary and therefore cannot be supported. He urged citizens to make their voices heard through the Voks 2025 public vote.
‘We govern by asking the people. Others may call it populism, but winning two-thirds support four times in a row is not a coincidence,’ he concluded.
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