Tusk backs Magyar's stance against fast-tracking Ukraine's EU accession

Tusk told a Brussels news conference that Magyar “honestly and frankly” explained his opposition to accelerated membership for Ukraine given Hungary’s domestic political situation. He quoted Magyar as saying, “I have already unblocked the Ukraine issue.”

Tusk said Hungarians have not sharply changed their stance toward Ukraine. He added that although Poles broadly support Ukraine in its war with Russia, “there are increasing questions about some other aspects of Ukrainian policy” in Poland, and the situation in Hungary is “even more complicated.”

“I supported the Hungarian prime minister,” Tusk said.

“Listen to what he says — he needs help. You can’t, so to speak, throw out the baby with the bathwater. Everyone agreed: if we recognize that Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and Moldova should have a clear prospect of EU membership, the process must be based on objective criteria. They must meet all the requirements of the accession procedure.”

Tusk said it was therefore better not to include additional language in summit documents about accelerated accession “because it has no practical significance.” He added that such moves “are a kind of enthusiasm not backed by real possibilities.”

He reiterated that he supported opening negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession but stressed that the rules must be the same for all candidate countries.

“Ukraine knows my support for its European integration is absolutely serious, but it will take place under conditions that apply to everyone,” he said.

Tusk also said Kyiv has already received preferential treatment “as if it were an EU member” without meeting some of the relevant standards.