Orbán Cabinet Reveals Ukrainian State’s Operation and Rebuilding Costs for European Taxpayers
Hungary considers fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU accession a “serious risk”
Hungary’s Prime Minister’s political director, Orban Balázs, has stated that fast-tracking Ukraine’s accession to the European Union would pose a significant risk for both Europe and Hungary. He emphasized that the burden of such a move would be too great for Europe and Hungary to bear economically and politically. As a result, the Hungarian government plans to conduct a public survey to gather the opinion of the people on this matter.
Orbán stated that the results of the survey will have political implications for the Hungarian government, and they intend to represent the opinion expressed by the Hungarian people in negotiations in Brussels. He also argued that admitting Ukraine to the EU would go against the principle of merit-based enlargement and could send the wrong message to candidate countries that have been waiting for years to join the bloc.
Citing data from the World Bank, Orbán highlighted the significant costs involved in Ukraine’s reconstruction and the operation of the Ukrainian state. He estimated that Europe would need to invest over 500 billion US dollars for Ukraine’s reconstruction alone.
In light of Hungary’s stance on Ukraine’s EU accession, Prime Minister Orbán vetoed the EU’s military support for Ukraine, despite being in the minority. This decision has sparked discussions among Hungarian scientists, who have issued a joint statement condemning the government’s position on Ukraine.
Overall, Hungary’s position on fast-tracking Ukraine’s EU accession reflects concerns about the economic and political implications of such a move. The upcoming public survey will provide insight into the Hungarian people’s opinions on this contentious issue.
