Zelenskiy says Hungary has no reason to block Ukraine's EU membership

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks next to Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store as he attends a press conference during a Nordic summit in Oslo, Norway, December 13, 2023. NTB/Cornelius Poppe via REUTERS

Source: X02351

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had no reason to block Ukraine's EU membership.

"I was very direct... He has no reasons to block Ukrainian membership in the EU. I asked him to tell me one reason... I'm (still) waiting for an answer," Zelenskiy said about his short encounter with Orban in Argentina on Sunday.

"I think we have to organise a very constructive meeting between our countries... (I said) that we have to speak, we have to meet, and we have to solve the problems... but I really don't see any global (significant) problems," Zelenskiy said in Oslo.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Hungary's Magyar calls for stronger military amid European uncertainty

Most of the European Union's 27 members want to open talks on Ukraine's accession at a summit this week and agree billions of euros in further support for Kyiv in its war against Russia's invasion. But both moves are being blocked by Hungary.

Zelenskiy, who is visiting Norway for talks with Nordic countries' leaders on more help to Ukraine, also said that battlefield operations always slowed in winter.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters