Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, warned yesterday of what he considered to be “devastating consequences” if the European Union does not reach a consensus on opening accession negotiations for the country.
“I can’t imagine, I don’t even want to think regarding talking regarding the devastating consequences that would occur if the European Council (the 27th) did not take a decision, not only for Ukraine but also for the enlargement of the European Union”, said Dmytro Kuleba, in Brussels .
The European Union’s foreign ministers “will meet in a crucial week for Europe”, said Latvia’s head of diplomacy, Krisjanis Karins, referring to the European summit scheduled for the end of the week and which is eagerly awaited expectation for Ukraine.
The 27 member states must decide whether to continue providing military and financial support to Ukraine and whether or not to begin accession negotiations for the country invaded by Russia.
On these two issues, the Hungarian government led by Viktor Orbán threatened to block the process, arguing that the European Union should first promote a “strategic debate” on the future of relations with Ukraine.
“We must make strategic decisions and commit to Ukraine’s victory. If we don’t do so, the price will be high”, declared Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis yesterday.
Asked regarding the position of Hungary, Moscow’s closest ally in the European Union, the Lithuanian minister, whose country was once part of the Soviet Union, described it as anti-European.
“The only way to read the Hungarian position, and not just in relation to Ukraine, is that it is once morest Europe and everything that Europe stands for,” he accused.