Hungary's foreign minister calls Ukraine's EU accession by 2030 'unrealistic'

In brief

• Hungary's foreign minister Anita Orbán said Ukraine joining the EU by 2030 is not realistic.
• She said all candidates must meet the same requirements and rejected any fast-track accession for Ukraine.
• Lithuania's foreign minister called for a target date and said 2030 is theoretically possible with fast reforms.

Hungary rejects 2030 target

Hungary's Foreign Minister Anita Orbán said on Thursday, during a visit to Vilnius, that she does not consider Ukraine's accession to the European Union by 2030 realistic (В МИД Венгрии считают вступление Украины в Евросоюз до 2030 года «нереалистичным» – NV) (В МЗС Угорщини вважають вступ України в ЄС до 2030 року "нереалістичним" – Українська правда) (Глава МЗС Угорщини: вступ України до ЄС до 2030 року є нереалістичним – Європейська правда). Asked directly whether Ukraine could join by that date, she said Budapest firmly backs a merit-based process and agrees with Lithuania on the question.

Equal rules for all candidates

Orbán argued that every candidate country must meet the same requirements and go through the same procedure Hungary itself went through. She rejected any fast-track route for Ukraine.

Progress acknowledged

She also said Ukraine has made significant progress. Four of the six negotiating clusters have already been opened. She linked part of that progress to improved relations between Hungary and Ukraine and to an agreement on protecting the rights of Hungary's national minority in Zakarpattia.

Lithuania more optimistic

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys took a more positive line on timing. He said a target date should be set and that accession by 2030 is theoretically possible if Ukraine carries out the necessary reforms quickly enough and the EU completes its own preparations on time.

Context

The exchange shows a split within the bloc over the pace of enlargement. Budapest wants strict, unchanged conditions, while Vilnius wants a deadline to give the process momentum.