Jewish refugees from Israel find comfort and companionship in a countryside camp in Hungary
Associated PressOct 28, 2023
The Facts
Fidesz, Hungary's ruling party, submitted a draft resolution to the country's parliament on Wednesday, calling on the government to reject talks concerning Ukraine's potential membership of the European Union.
Previously, Prime Minister Viktor Orban had alleged that the European Commission's proposal for Ukraine's accession was "unfounded and poorly prepared."
The Spin
Narrative A
Aside from its unstable democratic foundations, Kyiv is currently at war with a European neighbor. The EU had arrogantly hoped that Hungary would relent in its objections to bloc membership despite these issues not being addressed. Hungary is not against EU expansion, but it's unfair to funnel Ukraine into joining ahead of a plethora of other Baltic nations who have waited decades for their applications to be justly considered. Self-serving geopolitical intentions shouldn't sway EU membership criteria.
Narrative B
It's hypocritical for Hungary to reject Ukraine's current conditions for EU membership when Budapest faced a similar scenario with its application in 1994. It's unfavorable for Hungary to have a weak nation like Ukraine as its neighbor, especially with Russia knocking at Europe's door. Orban is either in Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin's pocket, or, despite what has been outwardly stated, is looking for heavy concessions from Europe in return for their approval.