Latest news with #Voks2025
Saudi Gazette
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
26 EU countries issue statement in support of Ukraine ahead of the Alaska talks
BRUSSELS — The leaders of the European Union issued a joint statement ahead of the US-Russia summit this Friday to highlight their unwavering support for Ukraine. All EU leaders signed up for the text, except for Hungary, which had reservations with the idea. The statement by the EU 26 welcomed the efforts of President Trump towards "ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and achieving a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine." Leaders highlighted a lasting peace is needed with respect of international law, highlighting the territorial integrity of Ukraine. "International borders must not be changed by force," - the statement said. Leaders also reflected on the upcoming Alaska summit between the US and Russia, saying the path for peace can not be decided without Ukraine. In the last two days, the EU made a push for President Zelenskyy to be included at the talks. The leaders also demanded that any diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests. The text also gave a clear sign that the EU is willing to provide further political, financial, and military support to Ukraine for its self defence and demanded security guarantees for Kyiv. In addition, they pledged support for Ukraine's path towards EU membership. The statement was drafted by EU Council president António Costa and agreed by leaders last night. But Hungary refused to sign up. "Hungary does not associate itself with this Statement," - the text concluded. Shortly after the EU 26 statement was published, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán published a post on his X account, justifying his decision: "Before the liberal-mainstream chorus begins its newest rendition of their favourite 'Putin's puppet' tune, I decided to share why I could NOT support the statement on behalf of Hungary," Orbán wrote. The Prime Minister raised 3 points: 1. The statement attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited. 2. The fact that the EU was left on the sidelines is sad enough as it is. The only thing that could make things worse is if we started providing instructions from the bench. 3. The only sensible action for EU leaders is to initiate an EU-Russia summit, based on the example of the US-Russia meeting. Let's give peace a chance! - Orbán concluded his post. Earlier, Hungary systematically rejected EU statements calling for military or financial support for Ukraine or demanding help for the EU path for Kyiv. Viktor Orbán's government is also actively campaigning against the EU aspiration of the war-torn nation, saying the accession of Ukraine would be an economic and security disaster for Hungary and Europe. The Hungarian government also concluded a non-binding poll called Voks2025 about Ukraine's EU accession, where 95 % of the respondents, more than 2 million people, said they were opposed to Ukraine joining the EU. — Euronews
Euronews
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
EU countries issued a statement in support of Ukraine without Hungary
The leaders of the European Union issued a joint statement ahead of the US-Russia summit this Friday to highlight their unwavering support for Ukraine. All EU leaders signed up for the text, except for Hungary, which had reservations with the idea. The statement by the EU 26 welcomed the efforts of President Trump towards "ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and achieving a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine." Leaders highlighted a lasting peace is needed with respect of international law, highlighting the territorial integrity of Ukraine. "International borders must not be changed by force," - the statement said. Leaders also reflected on the upcoming Alaska summit between the US and Russia, saying the path for peace can not be decided without Ukraine. In the last two days, the EU made a push for President Zelenskyy to be included at the talks. The leaders also demanded that any diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests. The text also gave a clear sign that the EU is willing to provide further political, financial, and military support to Ukraine for its self defence and demanded security guarantees for Kyiv. In addition, they pledged support for Ukraine's path towards EU membership. Hungary rejected the idea of the EU statement before the Alaska summit The statement was drafted by EU Council president António Costa and agreed by leaders last night. But Hungary refused to sign up. "Hungary does not associate itself with this Statement," - the text concluded. Euronews has reached out to the Hungarian government for comment on the matter. One EU diplomatic source told us that Hungary was not convinced of this opportunity to issue a joint EU statement ahead of the talks. Earlier, Hungary systematically rejected EU statements calling for military or financial support for Ukraine or demanding help for the EU path for Kyiv. Viktor Orbán's government is also actively campaigning against the EU aspiration of the war-torn nation, saying the accession of Ukraine would be an economic and security disaster for Hungary and Europe. The Hungarian government also concluded a non-binding poll called Voks2025 about Ukraine's EU accession, where 95 % of the respondents, more than 2 million people, said they were opposed to Ukraine joining the EU.
Russia Today
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU state blocks accession talks with Ukraine
Hungary has vetoed a joint EU statement on Ukraine at the bloc's Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, effectively blocking Kiev's accession talks, according to a communique published on Thursday on the European Council's website. The statement, which urged the council to open membership negotiations with Ukraine, was 'firmly supported by 26 heads of state' out of 27 EU members, the document read. As unanimous approval is required, talks cannot begin until Hungary reverses its stance. The communique noted that the council will revisit the issue at its next meeting in October. While the document did not name Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed the veto in comments to reporters. 'We stopped Ukraine's EU accession with the votes of Voks2025, and I needed it, because I was almost swept away by the public anger when I announced that Hungary would not agree to start negotiations with Ukraine,' Orban said, referencing the national referendum which concluded on June 20. More than 2 million Hungarians, or 95% of voters, rejected Ukraine's EU bid, according to the prime minister. 'I had to remind [the council] that the most important criterion [for accession] is that there is in fact a country,' he said. 'There must be a defined identity, borders, a population, a territory, and in the case of Ukraine, none of these apply.' Ukraine made EU accession a national priority in 2019, formally applying in 2022 shortly after the escalation of its conflict with Russia. The EU granted Kiev candidate status later that year and set a 2030 target for membership. While Brussels supports the move, critics argue that Ukraine's institutions and economy are unprepared, and the cost would strain the bloc. Budapest opposes EU membership for Ukraine, warning it could escalate tensions with Russia and burden EU taxpayers with decades of military aid. Alongside Hungary, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Polish officials have raised concerns. A recent IBRiS poll shows only 35% of Poles support Ukraine's EU bid, down from 85% in 2022. Moscow strongly opposes Ukraine joining NATO, but had previously taken a neutral stance on its EU ambitions, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying in March that Ukraine has the 'sovereign right' to join if the bloc remains focused on economics. However, with Brussels ramping up defense spending, Russian officials have recently grown critical. Peskov earlier this week called EU militarization 'rabid,' while former President Dmitry Medvedev said the bloc has become 'no less of a threat' to Russia than NATO. 'This is a politicized, globalist, and fiercely Russophobic organization,' Medvedev wrote on Telegram on Wednesday. 'Thus, the so-called 'Ukraine in the EU' is a danger to our country.'
Russia Today
26-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
95% of Hungarians oppose Ukraine joining EU
An overwhelming majority of Hungarians oppose Ukraine's accession to the EU, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced, citing the results of the Voks 2025 referendum. The consultative vote, which asked a single question – 'Do you support Ukraine's European Union membership?' – ran from mid-April to June 20. According to Orban, 2,168,431 Hungarians, or 95% of those who voted, rejected Ukraine's EU aspirations. '95% of the votes cast were 'no' and 5% answered 'yes'… I will say today, in the voice of more than two million Hungarians, that Hungary does not support Ukraine's accession to the EU. These are the bare facts,' Orban told reporters ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Thursday. He emphasized that Hungary's position cannot be bypassed, as Ukraine's membership requires unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states. 'A unanimous decision is needed even to launch negotiations on the matter. We don't have it, therefore they should not happen. Nothing can happen today that has a legal effect on the matter of Ukraine's EU membership… because Hungary does not support it,' Orban stressed. Ukraine made EU accession its national goal back in 2019 and officially applied to join the bloc in 2022, shortly after hostilities with Russia escalated. The EU granted Kiev candidate status in June 2022 and set a target date for 2030. Critics argue Ukraine's economy and institutions are unprepared, and that membership would place an unbearable financial strain on the bloc. Even Poland, one of Kiev's key backers, has shown declining support for Ukraine's bid. A recent IBRiS poll commissioned by Defence24 outlet found only 35% of Poles support Ukraine joining the EU – down from 85% in 2022. Hungary has consistently opposed Ukraine's integration into both the EU and NATO, warning that it could heighten tensions with Russia. Orban argued the move could lead to an 'endless war' in Europe, forcing EU taxpayers to fund Ukraine's army. His adviser Balazs Orban previously estimated that Kiev's full integration would cost the bloc around €2.5 trillion ($2.9 trillion), more than 12 times the EU's current budget. Moscow has firmly opposed Ukraine's bid to join NATO but has taken a more neutral stance on its EU ambitions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously said Ukraine has the 'sovereign right' to join the bloc if it remains focused on economic ties rather than military alignment. However, Russian officials have warned the EU's civilian-military distinction has been fading. Peskov recently described the EU's new military spending plans as 'rabid militarization,' while Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the bloc 'has degraded into an openly militarized entity.'
Budapest Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Orbán: 'If the EU starts down a path, they will push through, and anyone who stands in the way gets thrown off the track'
Speaking on Kossuth Rádió, he described the issue as one of historic importance. He linked the timing of Ukraine's potential membership to the loss of vital EU agricultural subsidies and the arrival of mass Ukrainian labor, which he argued would overwhelm Hungarian farmers and depress local wages. 'If Ukraine is admitted into the EU, then the majority of land-based subsidies will be lost, or may not even exist anymore,' the prime minister said. 'Hungarian farmers will not be able to compete with Ukrainian grain,' he warned. According to Prime Minister Orbán, the accession would also result in a significant labor influx. 'Several hundred thousand people will arrive, and this will significantly depress wages in Hungary.' Beyond economics, the prime minister stressed the political and strategic implications. He urged citizens to participate in Voks 2025, the national consultation on EU issues, emphasizing that the results would define Hungary's mandate at the upcoming EU summit. 'When I speak on behalf of Hungary [in Brussels], it is not irrelevant whether I represent the government's or the people's position,' he said. 'That's why the result of Voks 2025 matters.' The prime minister drew a sharp contrast between Hungary's stance and that of most EU members. 'There are two kinds of political forces in Europe: national forces, and those who support migration and Ukraine's EU accession,' he said. 'Today, the majority supports transferring more powers to Brussels, supports migration, and supports Ukraine's accession,' he added, describing the pressure on Hungary as immense. Prime Minister Orbán also issued a warning about ongoing attempts to shift EU decision-making from unanimity to qualified majority voting. 'If the EU switches to qualified majority voting, Hungarian foreign policy will be decided by Brussels bureaucrats,' he said. 'This would mean the end of the thousand-year-old Hungarian state.' In response to EU criticism over Hungary's economic measures, Prime Minister Orbán defended the government's interventionist policies. 'If the interest rate cap were to be lifted, 300,000 families would be in a very difficult situation immediately,' he said. 'Of those, 28,000 families would be on the street.' He stressed that the cap would remain until the central bank could reduce interest rates. Regarding the retail margin cap, he argued that lifting it 'would increase prices by 20 percent.' He explained, 'When the world is this crazy, the Hungarian government must intervene—especially to protect families.' The prime minister also announced significant new support measures. 'From July, people will see progress,' he said, pointing to a 50 percent increase in the child tax allowance. 'In October, mothers with three children will begin to receive full income tax exemption,' and efforts are underway to boost wages for municipal workers in towns of up to 30,000 people. Despite geopolitical instability and EU tensions, Prime Minister Orbán ended with a resolute message: 'There may be a war, but I will fight tooth and nail to achieve these goals.' He described the 2026 budget as 'the budget of will,' asserting, 'There are goals that are important to Hungarian families and to the government. These goals must be achieved.'
