The European Commission responds to Orban after statements on the issue of starting membership talks with Ukraine

The European Commission has responded to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's statement that the EU should not consider starting negotiations with Ukraine on joining the bloc at its December summit, saying it does not agree that such a proposal is "unreasonable," UNN reports.  

Context

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban proposed a "5-10 year" agreement on strategic partnership between Ukraine and the EU instead of membership negotiations.

On Sunday, he reiterated his position on the social network X. Orban wrote: "It is clear that the European Commission's proposal for Ukraine's accession to the EU is unfounded and poorly prepared. It has no place on the agenda of the December EU Council!"

Reaction of the European Commission

European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero responded to this at a briefing on Monday.

We stick to our proposal, recommendation. No, we do not think that it is unfounded. On the contrary, I think that Ukraine has done impressive work, in speed and in content, this was been highlighted by the President by numerous occasions. And, obviously, now it will be for member states to take decisions on the basis of our enlargement package,

To recap

In mid-December, 27 EU leaders are to decide whether to accept the European Commission's recommendation to invite Ukraine to start membership talks as soon as it fulfills the final conditions.

Any such decision would require the unanimity of the bloc's 27 members, with Hungary seen as a major potential obstacle. The Hungarian Prime Minister, as Reuters pointed out, has repeatedly stated that Hungary will not support the European Commission's proposal in its current form.