Foreign ministers close ranks to slam Hungary's 'deplorable' threats to block EU support for Ukraine

euronews (in English)

Foreign affairs ministers of the European Union have closed ranks to rebuke Hungary for its continued threats to derail the bloc's support for Ukraine.

Transcript

00:00 Tensions are growing in the EU over Hungary`s resistance towards opening up Ukraine`s membership

00:07 talks to join the bloc.

00:08 At a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on Monday, Hungary dug its heels in on the

00:13 issue, angering many other member states that would like to speed up Ukraine`s accession

00:18 process.

00:20 The only way I can read Hungarian position, not just on Ukraine, but on many other issues,

00:27 is that they are against Europe and everything that Europe stands for.

00:33 At a crucial summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, the issue of membership will

00:38 be debated and also on giving Ukraine an additional 50 billion euros in financial support, a lifeline

00:44 for a country defending itself against Russia`s invasion.

00:48 Hungary is currently blocking both issues.

00:51 Ukraine`s foreign minister, Dmitry Kuleba, who was also in the Belgian capital, says

00:57 the stakes are very high for both sides.

01:01 I cannot imagine, I don`t even want to talk about the devastating consequences that will

01:10 occur shall the council fail to make this decision, not only with regard to Ukraine,

01:18 but in a broader sense on the issue of enlargement as a whole.

01:23 But Hungary is vowing to maintain its veto as it says Kiev is not ready to join the EU,

01:28 blaming the European Commission for making what it calls a false evaluation of the situation

01:33 in Ukraine.

01:34 Our position is clear.

01:35 At the moment, the situation is not ready to start negotiations with the European Union,

01:48 Ukraine.

01:49 And this is not a tactical position, but a well-founded position.

01:58 Kiev says it`s fulfilled the EU`s demands to begin talks in record speed, particularly

02:02 in regard to the fight against corruption and justice reforms.

02:05 [WHOOSH]

02:09 (whooshing)

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