---
title: "Uncertainty looms over Ukraine's EU path as Orbán holds keys"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/21440/uncertainty-looms-over-ukraine-s-eu-path-as-orbán-holds-keys
published: 2023-12-12T06:11:00Z
language: en
author: "Bogdan Nigai"
section: "Social"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Uncertainty looms over Ukraine's EU path as Orbán holds keys

> Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's veto on Ukraine's European Union membership application is facing intensifying pressure from European leaders, following a recent unsuccessful dinner meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's veto on Ukraine's European Union membership application is facing intensifying pressure from European leaders, following a recent unsuccessful dinner meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/96bae5aa-5220-4ac0-9e0d-ec3767dfcc5a.jpg)

MEP Dacian Cioloș of Romania emphasised the broader implications of Orbán's stance: *"Failure to address Viktor Orbán would constitute a significant setback not only for Ukraine and Moldova, but also for the European Union as a whole. We cannot allow the entire Union to be held hostage by a single populist leader, especially one with known ties to Putin. European leaders must resist any pressure to cave in. If a decision cannot be reached in December, the President of the European Council retains the option of convening an extraordinary session in January."*

Justifying his veto, Orbán has cited concerns over Ukraine's perceived *"rampant corruption"*. International media reports, however, suggest that Orbán's primary objective might be to leverage his veto as a bargaining chip in his pursuit of billions of euros in currently frozen EU funds.

The next critical juncture will be the European Council meeting scheduled for December 14-15th. If Orbán remains steadfast in his opposition, a decision on Ukraine's EU membership bid could be postponed until January, potentially delaying Ukraine's integration into the European fabric and undermining the bloc's united stance against Russia's aggression.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**