The Guardian’s view on Ukraine’s EU accession: Orban should not be allowed to play the tune | Editorial

HAt her meeting with European Union leaders in Copenhagen earlier this month, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described Europe as facing “the most difficult and dangerous situation since World War II.” There were other moments of extreme tension, such as during the 1980s when American cruise missiles appeared Spread out In Germany in response to the escalating arms race with the Soviet Union. From next year, the missiles will be long-range behind On German soil, amid fears that recent Russian incursions into European Union airspace portend an ominous new phase of the war in Ukraine.

While the United States under Donald Trump continues to be an unreliable ally, European unity, cohesion and solidarity are crucial. But the Copenhagen talks yielded little substance. Disagreement It continuesFor example, on the advisability of making use of 140 billion euros in frozen Russian assets to help Kiev.

As leaders contemplate a potentially long and complex hybrid conflict with Russia, next week’s European Council summit will need to make some concrete decisions. However, there is already consensus on one issue. Shortly after Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion in 2022, Ukraine was Granted Candidate status for accession to the European Union, along with neighboring Moldova. However, Viktor Orban’s Hungary continues to block progress in accession talks, a position he reiterated in Denmark.

Opposing the liberal values ​​the union represents has long been a badge of pride in Budapest, with Orban positioning himself as an enemy of the EU on issues such as minority rights and civil liberties. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this approach has remained in place extended The European Union’s foreign policy is such that it requires a more effective response than ever before. Hungary has repeatedly delayed the imposition of EU sanctions on Moscow, made unilateral overtures to Putin, and steadfastly maintained its dependence on Russian oil and gas. By continuing to block Ukraine and Moldova’s path to European Union membership, Orban is endangering one dimension of Europe’s future security strategy in the face of Russian aggression.

Because moving through the different stages of the accession process requires unanimous consent, the question is what can we do about it? Recently, European Council President António Costa Suggested Changing voting rules to allow a qualified majority of member states to advance the talks. But doing so would itself require Orban’s approval. Even more promising is that Brussels is now showing up ready To bypass the technical requirements to obtain formal approval from national capitals at every stage, and allow Ukraine and Moldova to move forward with the necessary consultations and reforms.

Such a solution would have a morale-boosting effect in Kiev, at a time when Orban is doing so opposition Ukraine’s accession represents a wedge issue ahead of Hungarian elections next spring. Moldovans also deserve to reap the benefits of the country’s remarkable national elections last month, when the ruling pro-EU party won an absolute majority of votes despite widespread Russian interference.

Last week, Mr. Orban accused He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of using “moral blackmail” to pressure member states about joining. In fact, it is the Prime Minister of Hungary who is unscrupulously abusing his power to obstruct the EU’s foreign policy. narrowly trailing in Opinion pollsOrban may leave after next April’s elections. For now, he needs to work around it.

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