Politico: Orban Drew Conclusions After Trump's Call
- 27.08.2025, 12:57
Hungary may soften its stance on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
Following a call from US President Donald Trump, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may ease his opposition to Ukraine's accession to the EU.
This is reported by Politico.
The exact timing of Moldova's accession to the EU and the implementation of an important step known as the opening of the "negotiation cluster" remains controversial.
Politico wrote earlier in August that European officials are considering the possibility of opening a "negotiation cluster" for Moldova on the eve of September elections in the country. At the same time, without taking such a step toward Ukraine.
But Ukraine and many of its allies are strongly opposed to such a step. Indeed, Kiev insists it would send the wrong signal to the Ukrainians in the midst of U.S.-mediated peace talks.
"The fact that U.S. President Donald Trump convinced Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who opposes Ukraine's EU membership but has expressed willingness to support Moldova's membership, to drop his objections to Kiev's entry into the bloc has changed the dynamics of the situation," one diplomat told Politico.
A French official told the publication, "In the context of what Ukraine is going through now, there are advantages for both Ukraine's and Moldova's candidacy. Decisions in Brussels must be taken unanimously and we must act within these principles."
The piece said that decisions will be taken in "the coming days or weeks." The two diplomats also expressed hope that in the coming months, given the pressure on Budapest, it will be possible to break the deadlock over Ukraine's accession.
It is stated that Orban is the reason why Ukraine's membership is blocked, so Kiev hopes that Trump's pressure may force the Hungarian leader to change his opposition.
"Now he has an opportunity to soften his anti-Ukrainian stance," one diplomat said.
The publication adds that Orban is well acquainted with how to change his position. Moreover, it can be said that he is a true master of it - especially in the EU context.