Orbán might lose EU voting rights – Ohryzko

[ad_1] Hungary is definitely blocking Ukraine’s course towards European integration, however the European Union is more and more recognizing the necessity to revise its unanimity-based decision-making course of.

Former Ukrainian Overseas Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“At current, the European Union has no formal mechanisms to override a single-member veto—its decision-making course of stays sure by the precept of unanimity. This poses a major problem, one the EU now absolutely acknowledges,” the diplomat stated.

He famous that Hungary’s stance—often at odds with the EU’s collective place—may immediate Brussels to undertake casual however efficient countermeasures.

“We might quickly see the suspension of economic help price tens of billions of euros, with out which Hungary can not maintain itself for lengthy. One other doable measure is proscribing Hungary’s voting rights. If that occurs, Budapest’s place will merely lose its weight—interval,” he pressured.

Learn additionally: Hungary announces results of Orbán’s “referendum” on Ukraine’s EU accession

Ohryzko additionally pointed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s more and more pro-Russian rhetoric, suggesting {that a} shift in Hungary’s place on Ukraine is unlikely with no change in management, which may come after subsequent yr’s elections.

In accordance with the previous Overseas Minister, Ukraine’s EU accession talks have truly begun.

“Based mostly on our data from Brussels, preparations for the negotiation course of are already underway—it would proceed in parallel with Moldova, albeit informally. For my part, negotiations throughout all clusters will start even earlier than a proper political resolution is made. As soon as the chance arises, they may merely be formalized retroactively,” the diplomat stated.

Commenting on Kyiv’s response to Hungary’s actions, Ohryzko pressured that Ukraine’s official stance ought to be considerably firmer

“For too lengthy, now we have proven a degree of restraint that Hungary doesn't deserve,” Ohryzko said, including that its present prime minister overtly aligns himself with pro-Moscow rhetoric.

He added that Ukraine has each proper to publicly tackle Hungary’s historic duty for its involvement in Nazi crimes dedicated on Ukrainian territory throughout World Conflict II.

“We're absolutely entitled to boost these points—not out of revenge, however within the identify of historic reminiscence and modern political accountability. All that’s wanted is the political will,” he concluded.

As earlier reported by Ukrinform, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claims that 95% of respondents within the authorities’s Voks-2025 “nationwide consultations” opposed Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.