Some are blocking EU path to get Red Square seats, says Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Some European leaders are hindering Ukraine’s European integration in hopes of securing better seats at Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague on May 5.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Czechia for supporting Ukraine’s path to European Union membership and criticized unnamed European leaders for stalling the process.
“We appreciate Czechia’s support for our movement toward the European Union... This year, we are ready to open the first cluster in the negotiation process.”
Zelenskyy expressed frustration that some EU officials are blocking progress “not in the interests of their own countries, but to get a better seat on the podium on Red Square.”
He stressed the importance of upholding European values over “the whims of individual politicians,” and said Ukraine would welcome continued Czech support at the pan-European level.
“It’s important that Europe is strong — strong enough to protect the interests of all,” he added.
Hungary’s Continued Resistance
Zelenskyy’s comments come amid ongoing resistance from Hungary, the only EU country actively blocking Ukraine’s accession talks, according to the Ukrainian President.
On March 6, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed an EU communiqué reaffirming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Two weeks later, Zelenskyy directly accused Hungary of being the sole obstacle to Ukraine’s EU bid.
Budapest has since launched a controversial national survey on Ukraine’s membership prospects, criticized by Kyiv for containing manipulated and misleading information. The results are expected by early summer.
Orbán on April 11 reiterated his opposition to Ukraine’s accession, saying he would not allow Brussels to “force” the issue on Hungary.
On May 3, Zelenskyy voiced confidence that Hungarian citizens support Ukraine’s EU membership, citing an independent survey by the Hungarian opposition indicating 70% approval. He accused Orbán of exploiting the issue for domestic political gain.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded by saying that Ukraine should respect Hungary’s right to influence the process.
“Ukraine wants to join the integration we’re already part of, not the other way around,” he wrote on Facebook.
“So the tone in Kyiv must be adjusted accordingly.”
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