Written by: Oleksandr Levchenko
The Hungarian government is doing everything it can to block Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Officially, it cites reasons such as the alleged mistreatment of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, the intimidation of its citizens, and the impact Ukraine’s EU membership would have on Hungary’s agricultural competitiveness, which, according to Budapest, would lower the country’s living standards. Beyond that, additional seemingly problematic issues are being fabricated. However, the true goal is to prevent Ukraine from joining the geopolitically significant bloc of European nations – the European Union. The Kremlin may have tasked Viktor Orbán’s government with this mission.
Sadly, Budapest is fully aligned with Moscow’s aggressive policies, actively lobbying for Russian interests within the EU while simultaneously claiming to protect its own. Orbán’s government warns Hungarians that Hungary will be forced to become a donor country, with EU funds flowing into Ukraine, while Brussels pushes for joint debt, which, according to Budapest, would lead to financial instability.
However, it’s important to note that the EU budget is primarily formed by contributions from strong economies, not individual nations. Ukraine will receive funds proportional to its contribution to the EU economy. Moreover, the money invested in Ukraine will eventually flow back into the EU through the single market, as Ukrainian companies and citizens will spend those funds in EU countries. Brussels also has mechanisms in place to regulate the budget and control expenditures. The EU has already invested in economically lagging countries, with notable success – Spain and Portugal, for example, once received significant aid and are now thriving. Financing Ukraine is therefore a strategic investment, not a charitable act.
Viktor Orbán’s government has also crafted a propaganda narrative, claiming that Ukraine’s EU membership will harm Hungarian agriculture. Orbán argues that Hungarian farmers will lose subsidies because EU funds will be redirected to Kyiv. However, Ukraine exports products that are crucial for the EU, which will help stabilize food prices and protect farmers from global market fluctuations. Ukraine is already integrated into the EU’s agricultural market. Additionally, diversifying food supplies will enhance food security in the EU and make it more independent from Russia’s food leverage.
The Hungarian arguments regarding genetically modified products and banned chemicals in Ukraine are equally unfounded. Ukraine already adheres to European food standards. Ukrainian products have been supplied to the EU for years and have always passed the necessary certifications. Ukrainian farmers exporting to the EU fully comply with international standards and regularly undergo quality control. As a result, Ukrainian products are in high demand across Europe.
Another false argument spread by Budapest concerns an alleged security threat to Europe. Hungarian propaganda tries to portray Ukraine as a hub for organized crime, suggesting that weapons could fall into the wrong hands. However, official data tells a different story. Europol reports that the crime rate among Ukrainian refugees is minimal. On the other hand, Orbán’s allies in Russia use criminal networks to smuggle weapons. Kyiv works closely with the relevant authorities in Brussels to combat all forms of trafficking, particularly arms.
Let’s remind ourselves that during the 1990s, Budapest was a European center for the drug trade, prostitution, and criminal activity from numerous gangs, particularly from Russia. Hungary’s EU accession in 2004 helped reduce criminal activity. Therefore, Budapest’s accusations against Ukraine are entirely unfounded and biased.
Viktor Orbán’s cabinet has once again raised concerns about cheap Ukrainian labor, claiming it will drive down wages and threaten jobs and pensions. However, Ukrainian workers in the EU primarily fill positions that Europeans are unwilling to take, particularly in construction, logistics, and elderly care. The EU has established mechanisms to regulate labor migration and prevent market imbalances. Moreover, Ukrainians are not just employees; they also start businesses and create jobs. Recent experience in Poland and Germany has demonstrated that Ukrainian migrant workers have significantly contributed to the economic growth of these countries.
Ukrainian labor migrants pay taxes in various EU countries, strengthening the European economy by adding skilled workers to the labor force. As a result, Ukraine’s EU membership would ultimately lead to job creation rather than job losses. The labor market issues in Hungary stem not from Ukrainian workers but from the failed populist policies of Viktor Orbán’s government. It is also important to remember that the free movement of labor is one of the fundamental principles of the EU, benefiting all member states.
Another misleading narrative promoted by Orbán’s administration is the alleged health threat posed by Ukrainians due to a supposed lack of mandatory vaccinations. In reality, Ukraine has mandatory vaccination policies, and its immunization rates for key diseases are comparable to those of many EU countries. Ukraine’s vaccination rates surpass some EU members, such as Bulgaria and Romania. The Ukrainian Ministry of Health actively collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Even amid wartime conditions, access to medicines in Ukraine remains high.
Russian propaganda has exploited this issue in an attempt to undermine Kyiv, using vaccination concerns as a tool to discredit Ukraine. However, such claims are entirely unfounded. European countries have well-established mechanisms to monitor and control public health within the EU, and Ukraine consistently complies with these standards. Additionally, Ukraine is gradually aligning its healthcare system with EU regulations. It is also worth noting that the EU has already welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees without experiencing any public health crisis.
Another false claim from Hungary's leadership is that Ukraine's rapid accession to the EU would jeopardize the 13th pension. No EU enlargement has ever caused a pension crisis, and Ukraine will not be an exception. Hungary’s pension system is solely dependent on its own government’s policies, not on Ukraine. Furthermore, Ukraine's EU membership does not automatically grant Ukrainian citizens access to EU pension funds. Many Ukrainians working in the EU already contribute taxes, part of which support social benefits, including pensions. Meanwhile, pension reforms in Ukraine are progressing toward alignment with European standards.
In reality, the greatest threat to EU pension systems is not Ukraine’s membership but the broader demographic crisis and an aging population. Ukrainian workers will help address labor shortages, thereby stabilizing pension funds. Moreover, Hungary’s 13th pension is largely a populist measure by Orbán’s government, lacking a strong economic foundation. Instead of tackling genuine economic challenges, the Hungarian government manipulates public fears regarding pensions.
To sway public opinion, the Hungarian government plans to distribute surveys to citizens regarding Ukraine’s EU membership. These surveys will be accompanied by informational leaflets containing misleading claims about Ukraine. The document outlines seven so-called risks associated with Ukraine’s accession and urges citizens to reflect on them carefully before forming an opinion. While conducting such a survey is an internal matter for Hungary, EU enlargement remains a key priority for the European Commission. Notably, no European country conducted such a survey when Hungary joined the EU. At that time, similar concerns were raised, yet the principle of European solidarity prevailed.
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert reaffirmed at a briefing in Brussels that Ukraine belongs to the European family. This is why the EU formally began accession talks with Ukraine in June 2024. Ukraine has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to EU membership by implementing crucial reforms while simultaneously defending itself against Russian aggression. As Lammert emphasized, EU enlargement is now, more than ever, a geostrategic investment in Europe’s long-term peace, stability, security, and prosperity.
Without Ukraine’s security, there can be no European security. EU enlargement strengthens both new and existing member states. At this pivotal moment for Europe, hesitation is not an option.
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