Hungary’s parliament today approved a resolution opposing Ukraine’s membership in the European Union (EU), warning that the war-torn country’s admission could draw the bloc directly into conflict with Russia, reports Anadolu.

The measure was approved in the National Assembly with 142 votes in favor, 28 against and four abstentions, according to government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs. “The resolution calls on the government to support international peace efforts, avoid sending money or weapons to Ukraine, and prevent Hungary and the EU from becoming embroiled in war,” Kovacs said in a statement.

Lawmakers said Ukraine’s accession should not continue while the country remains at war, arguing that membership could risk making the EU a direct participant in the conflict.

The statement criticized support for Ukraine. continued financial and military support for Kiev. The EU is said to have already provided around 193.3 billion euros in aid to Ukraine since the start of a full Russian occupation in 2022, and warns that Ukraine’s potential share of the bloc’s next seven-year budget could exceed 360 billion euros.

Hungarian lawmakers said such spending could reduce funds available to member states through existing cohesion and agriculture programs. The vote comes amid rising tensions between Budapest and Kiev over energy supplies.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to restore oil shipments through the Druzhba oil pipeline, one of the world’s largest pipeline networks that carries Russian crude to Central and Eastern Europe.

In an open letter, Orban accused Ukraine of blocking pipeline, also known as the “Friendship Pipeline” and warned that the disruption threatens Hungary’s energy security. Ukraine has said shipments were interrupted after an attack on January 27, but Hungarian and Slovak officials have accused Kiev of deliberately delaying the reopening of the pipeline to gain political leverage against Russia.

Orban has warned Hungary could take further retaliatory steps. Speaking on state radio, he said Budapest had already suspended gasoline and oil shipments linked to Ukraine and could block additional measures if oil transit is not restored.

Hungary relies heavily on Russian crude transported through Ukrainian territory via the Druzhba pipeline, and the dispute has added to tensions between the two countries as the war continues.

Budapest has threatened to block a proposed financial package of The EU’s €90 billion bailout to Ukraine, saying it will not support additional funding while its energy interests are under pressure.

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Source: prizrenpost