Orban Restates Opposition To 'Fasttrack' EU Accession For Ukraine

Speaking to the National Assembly, Prime Minister Viktor Orban states that "a fast track accession of Ukraine to the EU does not serve Hungary's interests or the EU's interests." Claims that "Ukraine is very far from meeting conditions for EU membership," and that Ukrainian membership "In the present form goes sharply against Hungarian interests." Says that Hungary is under pressure, but "we will remain the voice of common sense." Comes as European Union leaders are set to meet tomorrow in Brussels for a Council summit focused on getting EUR50bn of aid to Ukraine approved and starting accession talks with Kyiv, two areas Budapest has threatened to veto.

• The comments to the parliament seem to back up those made earlier in a podcast in which Orban said he could make a "financial deal on financial issues" (hinting at progress in aid talks) but that he's not ready to make "a financial deal on strategic or policy issues" (see 0802GMT bullet).
• Orban's opposition to accession talks being included on the EUCO agenda comes despite calls from leaders of the Hungarian community living in the Transcarpathian mountains in Ukraine calling for Budapest to support Kyiv's bid for EU membership. In reply, Orban promised "that the Hungarian government will do everything possible to protect the rights of the Hungarian community in Ukraine,"