According to the prime minister, more than 2 million votes in the Voks 2025 public consultation gave the Hungarian government a democratic mandate to oppose the opening of accession chapters with Ukraine.
Prime Minister Orbán emphasized that EU membership talks can only proceed unanimously among member states. “We did not consent,” he said, stating unequivocally that the process has now been halted. While acknowledging the bravery of the Ukrainian people, the prime minister argued that granting Ukraine membership in its current state would be an act of self-destruction for Hungary. “If we admitted a country at war, we would be dragged into war with Russia,” he warned.
He further questioned the viability of Ukraine’s current borders and governance structure, asserting that the country’s statehood is uncertain amid conflict. “We don’t even know what remains of the country,” he said. In his view, hasty enlargement decisions undermine both Hungary’s security and the integrity of the European Union.
Prime Minister Orbán was equally critical of Brussels’ broader political direction. He accused European leaders of misleading Kyiv and moral irresponsibility, saying, “They are deceiving the Ukrainians in an unacceptable way.” The prime minister also took issue with the European Commission’s attempts to influence Hungarian domestic politics, accusing them of wanting a government in Budapest that would merely follow Brussels’ directives.
On the subject of energy policy, Prime Minister Orbán reiterated Hungary’s opposition to a proposed EU ban on Russian energy imports, noting that such a move would lead to a dramatic increase in household energy prices—up to 3.5 times more, he said. “This would immediately drive up costs and make long-term contracts unaffordable,” he explained, vowing not to support what he called a “bad decision.”
Regarding domestic issues, the prime minister addressed the situation in Budapest, describing the capital as being in a state of “chaos and bankruptcy,” and criticized the leadership for mismanagement. On the topic of the recently banned Budapest Pride event, he called for legal compliance while stressing that “physical violence must not be used.”
Lastly, PM Orbán praised astronaut Tibor Kapu, who is currently representing Hungary in space. “He represents 15 million Hungarians (including the Hungarian diaspora). We can be proud,” said the prime minister, highlighting Hungary’s growing capabilities in the space industry.
In a video statement following the EU summit, Prime Minister Orbán acknowledged the public’s role in strengthening his negotiating position. “I needed those 2 million votes because I was almost swept away by the outrage (in Brussels),” he admitted, reflecting on the political weight behind Hungary’s veto.