Hungary Admits to Blocking Ukraine's EU and NATO Membership Over Transcarpathian Hungarian Concerns
Date: 2023-09-16 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: WORLD
Transcarpathian Hungarian Concerns: A Roadblock to Ukraine's EU and NATO Access
Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, has consistently demonstrated its affinity for Moscow in recent times. This alignment with Russia has raised eyebrows within the European Union and NATO member states. Now, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by Levente Magyar, has openly confirmed that Budapest's objections have been linked to concerns regarding Transcarpathian Hungarians.
A Decisive Blockade
Levente Magyar candidly admitted that Hungary had effectively "blocked Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO and its closer alignment with these organizations" due to the Transcarpathian Hungarian question. He emphasized that unless these concerns are addressed satisfactorily, there will be no change in Hungary's stance.
Additional Complexities: Ukrainian Refugees and Educational Programs
Apart from addressing the Transcarpathian Hungarian issue, discussions also revolved around the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Hungary. Particularly, there were talks about the education of Ukrainian children in Hungarian schools and the financing of scholarship programs for Ukrainian students.
Future Implications for Ukraine
The timing of this revelation is significant. In December 2023, as EU member states decide whether to allow Ukraine to commence accession negotiations, Hungary will be a formidable obstacle for Kyiv. Viktor Orbán's government, known for its pro-Moscow inclinations, will undoubtedly bring up discussions regarding the treatment of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine during these deliberations.
NATO Expansion Threatened
In a related development, Hungary has issued a threat to halt NATO expansion during these turbulent times. The trigger for this threat was a ten-minute Swedish video that Hungary found deeply unsettling. The video's content and implications have stirred controversy and could potentially impact the broader NATO agenda.
