EU would plunge deep into Russia’s sphere of influence—and not let PM Orbán stand in the way

The European Union appears intent on strutting onto the global stage as a superpower, extending its sway and absorbing even a nation that languished under another great power’s thumb just two decades ago. President Putin views Ukraine as his personal fiefdom, yet by accelerating its accession, the EU seems poised to seize the initiative. A firm plan is already taking shape in Brussels.

EU thrusts deep into Russia’s eastern domain

For over a decade, Ukraine has waged a literal life-or-death struggle to escape the Russian-dominated world and cleave to the West, above all the European Union. We have witnessed the Westernisation of Ukrainian identity—and its forging as a nation amid the inferno of Russian assaults.

The much-maligned European Union, whose member states are now even mocked by the US President, appears ready to act decisively on Ukraine’s integration. The task is formidable: ushering a vast, war-torn country—economically and socially backward—into a club where nations like Albania and Serbia queue patiently. Accession has proved arduous even for most post-1990 entrants.

Five-point plan for Ukraine’s integration

Politico, a Brussels-centred media outlet, detailed the scheme on Tuesday, drawing on unnamed EU and Ukrainian officials, plus diplomats from member states. The aim: prevent Ukraine from abandoning its long, and inevitably contentious, path to membership.

President Zelensky insists the key reforms could be wrapped up by 2027, rendering his country technically ready to join. “The goal is not to lower the bar,” one EU official stressed, but to accommodate nations stalled by war or member-state obstruction.

EU sends potent signal to other aspirants

Commission President von der Leyen has floated a “reverse accession”: membership with limited rights until criteria are met. EU leaders see this as a robust message to the likes of Moldova, Ukraine, and Albania. The Albanians, for instance, have already agreed to forgo an EU commissioner for now (each member supplies one to the college).

Supporters include France, Italy, and Poland. Germany demurs, doubting whether conditions could be enforced post-accession.

Orbán is the obstacle, but Brussels sees at least three ways to neutralise him

Politico identifies Hungary’s Viktor Orbán as the thorniest hurdle, with Brussels awaiting the outcome of Hungary’s elections. Polls suggest a strong chance for the Tisza party to oust Orbán after 16 years in power. EU sources tell Politico that Orbán’s stance is immutable: he deems Ukraine an enemy, views accession as a sovereignty issue, and harbours personal animus towards President Zelensky.

Should Orbán prevail, Brussels might enlist President Trump to twist his arm. Failing that, they could strip Hungary’s voting rights via Article 7 proceedings, for grave breaches of EU principles. No such move before the elections, though; sources say it would only bolster Orbán.

PM Orbán: the EU’s new plan is a declaration of war

Zelensky’s five-point plan is an open declaration of war on Hungary, the prime minister said on his Facebook page on Wednesday. Not allowing Ukrainians into the European Union is a matter of life and death, because if Ukraine were a member, the EU would already be at war, he added on a Szentendre campaign rally.

Hungary firmly rejects Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Gergely Gulyás, told the Truth Hour podcast on Wednesday, adding that new plans were being forged to replace the patriotic Hungarian government with a “Brussels government in Hungary”.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said Brussels would like to eliminate the patriotic Hungarian government because Orbán is in the way of creating the United States of Europe.

Balázs Orbán: Ukraine’s EU integration would mean austerity measures

Orbán Balázs, the Prime Minister’s political adviser and 2026 campaign chief, fired back at Politico. Brussels, he charged, is “shoving” Ukraine into the EU, with Péter Magyar playing accomplice. Ukraine’s membership would spell tax hikes and austerity for Hungary, to fund Kyiv’s state apparatus and war effort, divert funds due to Budapest, ruin Hungarian agriculture, and pose “the direct and immediate risk of the war engulfing us”.

If you missed our previous articles concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine:

• Ukraine is Hungary’s enemy, says PM Orbán at campaign-style rally
• PM Orbán: these Ukrainians will be expelled from Hungary – minister reveals the first 3 names
• Exclusive video: Hungarian-speaking Ukrainian POW appeals for help as volunteer group Mothers’ Shield seeks publicity