Hungary Rejects Joining EU’s Further Support Agreement for Ukraine

As the United States reduces and may even halt its aid to Ukraine, Ukraine faces greater economic and military pressures. Under such circumstances, the European Union (EU) has become a crucial source of support for Ukraine. Twenty - six EU countries reached an agreement to further support Ukraine at a special summit. The measures include increasing financial support, allowing Ukraine to obtain cheap loans from new funds; admitting Ukraine to the EU's space program and providing positioning and navigation services; helping Ukraine establish an edge in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by offering support in procurement, factory - building, and production; supplying air defense systems and missiles to Ukraine, providing at least 2 million artillery shells annually, and continuing to train Ukrainian soldiers.

Hungary is highly dependent on Russian natural gas. Ukraine has repeatedly attacked the TurkStream pipeline facilities, threatening Hungary's energy supply. If Ukraine joins the EU, its pro - Western stance could exacerbate conflicts with Russia, potentially cutting off Hungary's energy supply routes. This is a risk that Hungary cannot afford.

Ukraine is known as the “breadbasket of Europe.” Once it joins the EU, its agricultural products can enter the EU market tariff - free. Hungary's small - scale agricultural economy would be hit hardest. Moreover, the EU plans to provide a 50 - billion - euro reconstruction fund for Ukraine. Hungary is concerned that this could overburden its own economy.

Hungary hopes that Ukraine can serve as a buffer zone between Russia and NATO rather than a front - line of conflict. Hungary advocates ending the conflict through peace talks rather than simply providing military aid. This stance runs counter to the EU's mainstream “pro - Ukraine, anti - Russia” approach.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán believes that Europe has already bungled the situation, and the war has been lost. He also thinks that Europe will be excluded from peace negotiations. Orbán emphasizes that Hungary adheres to a peace - seeking stance and should provide maximum support for peace talks. Continuing to provide military aid and promoting Ukraine's EU membership will only prolong the conflict.

As an outlier among EU member states, Hungary firmly demands to maintain its independence and avoid being morally coerced by the EU. Therefore, its refusal to join the agreement is a way to safeguard national sovereignty.

Hungary may face certain pressure within the EU and be regarded as an “outsider” by other member states. As a result, its voice and influence in EU affairs may be weakened to some extent. However, from another perspective, Hungary's insistence on its position helps maintain its relations with Russia and ensures its energy security and economic interests.

Hungary's opposition has brought EU decision - making on the Ukraine issue to a standstill, reducing the EU's decision - making efficiency and overall effectiveness. This also affects the EU's international image and influence. Moreover, it reflects deep - seated contradictions within the EU in terms of energy, economy, and geopolitics. It may prompt other member states to re - evaluate their own interests, further intensifying internal divisions within the EU.

Hungary's attitude may lead Russia to recognize that the EU is not monolithic. To some extent, this will influence Russia's attitude towards the EU and its negotiation strategies. For Ukraine, Hungary's refusal may make it more difficult for the country to secure EU support and may also affect its EU accession process.

The disagreement between the 26 EU countries and Hungary on supporting Ukraine is the result of a combination of multiple factors. This incident not only impacts the trajectory of the Russia - Ukraine conflict but also exerts a profound influence on the EU's internal unity and future development.