Danish PM Criticizes Orbán for Blocking EU Unity on Ukraine’s Future

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has sharply criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, declaring that she will not allow “one country, and certainly not Viktor Orbán, to decide the future of all Europe.” Her comments followed tense discussions at the Copenhagen summit, where Hungary’s repeated vetoes once again stalled progress on Ukraine’s EU accession and related financial support measures.
Hungary’s objections prevented the European Union from advancing talks on Ukraine and Moldova’s accession and blocked a major proposal to use frozen Russian assets as collateral for a €140 billion loan to support Kyiv. The lack of consensus has raised concerns about the EU’s ability to respond collectively to security and financial challenges amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Frederiksen dismissed any notion of compromise that would stop short of full EU membership for Ukraine. She reiterated that there is “no middle way” between accession and exclusion, urging continued technical progress on integration despite political hurdles.
Zelensky accused Orbán of using the veto for domestic political gain ahead of Hungary’s elections, arguing that obstructing Ukraine’s path to Europe only benefits Russia. He also called for stronger European measures against Moscow, including halting oil trade and expanding military aid. European leaders warned that ongoing Hungarian obstruction could severely damage the EU’s credibility and unity as Ukraine pushes forward with reforms and accession preparations.