Budapest: Hungary will play a decisive role in whether Ukraine can join the European Union in the future, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced, casting uncertainty over Ukraine's European aspirations. Speaking at his annual State of the Nation address, Orban described Ukraine as a "buffer zone" between Russia and NATO, suggesting that it would maintain this status even after the three-year conflict with Russia concludes.

According to Anadolu Agency, Orban asserted that Hungary would not support Ukraine's accession to the EU if it negatively impacts Hungarian farmers and businesses. He stated, "Ukraine will not join NATO, and whether it joins the EU is up to us," indicating that while the conflict may be nearing its end, the subsequent developments pose the real challenge.

The 27-member EU began membership negotiations with Ukraine in June 2024, a process that requires unanimous consent from all member countries to admit a new member. Orban, known for his nationalist stance and considered the Kremlin's closest ally within the EU, has previously threatened to veto sanctions against Russia, although he has ultimately supported them.

In his address, Orban also questioned Ukraine's statehood, suggesting the ongoing conflict was "not even about Ukraine, but about the territory called Ukraine" potentially being controlled by NATO. He echoed sentiments from some Trump administration members who have implied that Ukraine should abandon its NATO membership ambitions. "Ukraine, or what remains of it, will again become a buffer zone," Orban added.