European leaders concluded a two-day consecutive summit in Copenhagen. Copenhagen was marked by the interference of Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban.
Despite pleas from other heads of state, Orban’s flat-out refused to join the European Union with the veto power of Ukraine’s membership bid.
The expansion is entirely dependent on unanimity.
Antonio Costa, Chairman of the Council of Europe Adjust voting rules He then switched to a qualified majority and was immediately shot down by the Hungarian leader.
“This plan is dead,” he said.
Orbán also rejected the groundbreaking initiative it publishes 140 billion euros Using fixed assets from the Russian Central Bank, he makes passionate claims to Ukraine, despite his Belgian counterpart Bart de Wever.
Belgium has Euroclear, a central security depository that holds most of the Russian assets, making it the main target for potential retaliation for the Kremlin.
“I want the maximum legal certainty. I want solidarity,” De Wever said. Thursday morning. “I don’t think this is an unreasonable position.”
At the end of the summit, Orban offered to reply to him.
“Belgium needs reciprocal responsibility. We are not part of the transaction,” he said.
“If the European Union decides to touch someone else’s money and take it, we are not part of it (trade) and we are not responsible for the future.”
The lack of unanimity threatens to complicate what is already becoming a complicated scheme. Without the support of 27 member states, the European Commission cannot use the EU budget as the ultimate guarantor.
The committee is also seeking to amend how sanctions will be updated to make the assets freeze more predictable. But that also requires unanimity.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen aired his frustration over Orban’s occlusionism at a closing press conference in Copenhagen.
“We have to stick to our strategy and I think the expansion of the European Union is part of our strategy. And that is questionable for the entire European Union and, in fact, the entire European continent. And we have to build as strong Europe as possible.
“I will not allow one country. Orban will certainly not allow decisions on the overall future of Europe,” she added.
Fredericksen suggested that Kiev could proceed with technical work while waiting for the veto to be lifted, and that the first association meeting (the “basics”) would be held. Earlier this week, the European Commission announcement Ukraine has completed a law screening of all six clusters “at record speed.”
“If we can’t persuade Victor Ovan, I think we’ll have to continue doing all the work that has to be done between Ukraine and the European Commission,” Fredericksen said.
On her side, Ukrainian President Voldimia Zelenkie denounced Orban in the election.
Hungarian leaders have been in power midway through the 15 years and face his most frightening challenge in opposition leader Peter Magyall, who has been at the helm of opinion polls. The country will hold an election in April 2026.
“Yes, there’s a problem in Hungary. With Victor Ovan taking the election, we can talk openly about it. And I don’t think he’s smart because he’s taking the election. So he’s blocking a big 40 million people (people) on his way to the EU,” Zelensky said.
“By the way, Russia has begun this war, because our will and our choices, our choice to go directly to Europe, we feel the same and share the same values as all other European countries,” he added, referring to the 2014 Maidan Revolution.
Brussels is paying attention as accession deadlock continues and work begins for 140 billion euros The 19th package of sanctionsBratislava threatens to refuse.