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HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER Viktor Orbán has vowed total opposition to progressing EU membership talks with Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters this morning at the European Council summit in Brussels, Obrán said: “The problem is the war. If a member of the European Union is in a war, it means that the European Union is in the war, and we don’t like it.”
European leaders are meeting in Brussels today to discuss tariffs, the Middle East and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Orbán, the Kremlin’s closest ally in the EU, is expected to present the results of a government poll on Ukrainian membership.
According to Orbán, 95% of the two million respondents to the government-run opinion poll are opposed to Ukraine’s membership, in a move seeking to add validity to his previous efforts to curb the progression of EU accession talks.
Asked about this issue today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland is totally opposed to Hungary’s attempts to suppress accession negotiations. He is to tell European leaders that Ukrainian membership in the EU will bring much-needed stability to the country.
He claimed it is “deeply, deeply regrettable” that Hungary’s Orbán intends to oppose Ukraine’s membership.
“I think the approach he has taken to Ukraine in general, from a European perspective, is to be regretted, and it’s very problematic,” Martin said.
“We will do what we always do, we will seek to persuade and engage across the full range of issues before the EU.”
The Taoiseach added that he believes Ukrainian membership in the EU is “very important”, adding that he has “always been in favour of enlargement because of the beneficial impact it had on Ireland and Ireland’s history”.
Orbán and Martin previously clashed in May after the Taoiseach was critical of the Hungarian Prime Minister on a podcast. Orbán asked the Fianna Fáil leader not to “ruin the love story” between Ireland and Hungary
Orbán has repeatedly rejected progressive legislation and has taken action to disrupt Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
Orbán has rejected funding programmes for Ukraine aimed at helping it in its war against Russia’s invasion. It came after funding for Hungary was withheld by the EU after his party planned to outlaw the mentioning of homosexuality.
European politicians have suggested using Article 7 of the Treaty of the EU, which allows for a member state to be blocked from voting in the EU, to crack down on the vetoes by Orbán.
Speaking to The Journal in Brussels yesterday, justice commissioner Michael McGrath said the EU is launching infringement proceedings against Hungary over proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
The EU Commission is currently awaiting a formal judgement by the European Court of Justice on the Hungary case. McGrath said that the Court of Justice has sided with the Commission in every instance of alleged EU law infringement in Hungary to date.
“On this new law, which provides for the ban of certain gatherings or the potential to ban certain gatherings, we have written to the Hungarian authorities in relation to the use of facial recognition and data privacy issues that arise,” McGrath said.
“We await the response from them, and we will then evaluate that response and decide what action is open to the commission to take,” he said.
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Orban is a real leader, puts his country’s interests first. He doesn’t just take orders from Brussels like snivelling sleveen Martin does.
@Declan Young: He takes his orders from Russia.
@Declan Young: He’s a puppet for Putin, that is the most basic weakness of leadership.
@Deano74: Where does Me’Hole take his orders from?
@Jacintha Dumbrell: eh .. Zelenskyy is the puppet . You cannot argue with this
@Declan Young: As a democracy we joined the EU voluntarily. Orbán on the other hand has by stealth made Hungry a satellite of Russia. Hungry has gone full circle from 1956 under Orbán’s autocratic rule.
@Declan Young: russian puppet, truly a weak man
@Brian Hunt: I’d say your hole takes it from who ever it can.
@Brian Hunt: If not from you, see a doctor.
@BL Music: how?
A man that fights for the freedom of his country,
You would have been spitting on the men that were executed in 1916 if you were there .
@Declan Young: there’ll be nobody entering Hungary for benefits, they’re paying hefty fines for not bowing to the eu shame on them I suppose for putting they’re populations needs first so.
@Declan a real leader – in Putin’s pocket
@Declan Young: 10-20 years ago Hungary economy was huge compared to historical neighbour Romania. Now is the other way around, with lots of Hungarians working in West of Romania. Minimum and average wage are now way better in big cities of Romania than in Hungary. QED.
@Deano74: You must be an expert on that sort of thing!
@Vincent Alexander: Hilariously funny, why do I bother replying to a knob-head like you!
@Deano74: You are wrong. He is patriotic, serves his nation interest.
@Jacintha Dumbrell: you’re repeating the mantra of the EU burocRats. So every leader is Putin’s puppet who’s going against the globalists west?
@sean weir: Saying this who reelect same useless Irish government again and again LOL
How one man can control Europe is a farce. Majority rule should be king. This puppet of Putin should be put in his place and Hungary should be booted out of the EU!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Because this has been th eway for EU membership, either 100% or nothing. If the shoe were on the other foot, would you let a country in state of war to be an EU member, knowing that it meant sending Irish troops? You may want it, but for such important things, it requires a 100% majority. Nothing is stopping other EU countries from sending troops to Ukraine; EU membership as a requisite to help Ukraine is pure tactical games. You can also have a free trade agreement with Ukraine without being an EU member.
@J Ven: Who told you that Ukraine’s accession to the EU means sending Irish troops ?
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: baah .
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: It’s the same with Germany they will support isreal every time and block everything against isreal.
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: A majority is not infallible
@John Mellonhead: But it is democratic!
I’m with Hungry on this. What would be the advantage of having Ukraine in the EU? They have nothing to give and everything to take. Russia caused their problems, let them pay to fix them.
@Mayo seem to be the football equivalent of Waterford hurlers: nothing to offer ,over 40%of the world’s grain is grown in Ukraine.
Crawl back under your stone
@sean weir: because they receive a pittance for growing it and the powers that be who oversee markets make more profit that way. It won’t be as cheap if they are admitted to the EU , they won’t tolerate it or will expect heavy EU subsidies which the taxpayer will shoulder
@sean weir: LOL. C’ mere ye fool. Ukraine grown GMO grains is that what you want in the EU market?
@sean weir: and other resources the USA and Russia needs, very important resources, to make them more efficient,
The Hungarian people are entitled to a say on Ukraine’s accession.
Ukraine treats its Hungarian minority very badly, as it does its ethnic Russians.
And Hungary quite rightly fears for its farmers if Ukraine joins the EU.
Perhaps Michael should have more concern for the welfare of Irish farmers and Irish taxpayers if Ukraine joins, rather than just “tugging the forelock” in Brussels.
@Nestor: keep letting Putin pull your chain
@Nestor: how will it affect Irish farmers pray tell
@sean weir: Ukraine is a huge agri country selling lot cheaper low quality non EU regulated products. If that’s getting into the EU markets Irish and other country’s farmers will be bankrupt fast. Not mentioned other sectors. Read more dude!
Hon Orban – Hon Hungary. Real leadership.
@Pat B: ‘Real’ leadership (again. A bit of a theme this morning) equals ‘real’ followers. Off you go then
@Alan: I bet you’d love to send them to Siberian for a bit of re-education?
@Brian Hunt: Siberia
@Pat B: careful there Pat,your low is on show
@Jb Walshe: low iq
@Jb Walshe: so are your typos and dyslexia baby!
In the unlikely scenario that Ireland did a similar poll on Ukraine membership would Martin respect the results and stand with Or an if the result were similar? I doubt he would
@john murray: we’d be asked to vote til they get the result they like
@Nigel Hayden: a real Irish leader would allow referenda on this matter, on keeping our water out of grubby private hands and legalising marijuana. Not under FFG though not going to happen
Real leader in Hungary whilst in Ireland we have snivelling shoneen eurofiles.
@A Th: if that’s your Ida of a real leader, why don’t you simply move to Hungary and enjoy the freedoms it offers? Plenty of Hungarians are leaving so there’s room enough for you.
@A Th: you know where the airport is ,good luck
@Alan: woke tranny freaks leaving Hungary.
@Alan: you think martin and Harris are the epitome of perfect leadership?
Ukraine was a corrupt basket case before the war started and it is a lot worse now. If it is allowed in it will simply be a money sink. Incidentally, countries cannot join the EU if they are involved in a territorial dispute..
@Des Hanrahan: would you ever feck off,you are the same about a united Ireland no doubt,does change scare you ?
Ukraine in the EU will only make the EU stronger,this is why the Russian puppet is against it ,if he was worried about Hungarians in Ukraine then the obvious thing is to have Ukraine in the EU so these people have full rights and Ukraine must follow EU rules .
Try and think before you comment
@sean weir: Ukraine is known as being the most corrupt country in Europe it’s being reported in the media for years they are broke they owe the yanks 100s of billions, they will be a weight around our necks and drag the EU down. Ukraine is not joining the EU come out of your dream world and into reality.
@Des Hanrahan: Cyprus did , Ireland did, Uk did
@You Cant Be Serious: officially Britain and Ireland had no territorial disputes at the time of joining the EU the six counties were officially signed over to the British in the 20s as far as I know. The IRA was a separate issue they were not connected to the Irish governments armed forces. Cyprus was probably the same.
Hungry has every right to express an opinion
Ukraine is a proxy war . Zelenskyy is a puppet . Denying this is ridiculous.
Who’s interest is it to have destabilisation in Europe .. hmm , let me think
Martin and Co have totally destroyed Ireland . Open boarders / one of the worlds most indebted countries according to the CSO
@BL Music: What you call ‘Ukraine’ is not a proxy war, and Zelenskyy is not a puppet.
It is an invasion, and he is a resilient and resourceful leader.
@Brendan O’Brien: I suppose British colonization was a millstone around Irish peoples neck for centuries, Ukraine has a right to freedom, and putin has no right to attack Ukraine, as Ukraine handed over its atomic warheads ,as was agreed with Ukraine and Russia, in the 90s when the USSR was the super power
Anything that’ll distract from the shitshow that is occurring in ones own country for Western leaders these days.
In Brussels, Martin is known as “le servir garcon” the servent boy.
In the same interview that Martin says EU support for ‘Israel’ is a stain on the bloc, he’s clearly desperate to add another pro-Israeli country.
Orban alone didn’t decide to oppose Ukrainian membership.
It was then people of Hungary that decided, by a poll, to oppose Ukrainian membership.
Michael Martin and the rest of his EU colleagues are intentionally denying EU citizens a say in their futures.
Von der Leyen’s ultimate goal is a federalised, militarised EU with absolute power and authority centralised in the hands of an EU “President”.
Orban’s allegiance is to Hungary. Martin and Harris’ allegiance is to Von der Leyen’s authoritarian regime in Brussels.
Here is a walk through Budapest – tell me if you can spot any diffrence with Dublin?
Change will come within the country. The mayor of Budapest is defying the city’s police and the Hungarian government to host a Pride parade this weekend in the face of mounting efforts to push Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community to the sidelines of society.
@David Hughes: Gay adoption in Europe is the main issue but seldom mentioned. ?
@David Hughes: will ya go away with your TQ+ rubbish LGB is from birth TQ+ is a lifestyle.
EU needs to reform before it expands.
@Jimmy Savage: That’s a nice idea and I fully support it.
But, it’s a catch 22:
Any change would have to be decided unanimously.
While it might have been a good idea back then, today it’s one of the biggest blockers to get major changes done.
Change the vote to to majority or lets say 75\25 to pass, that would not be agreed unanimously in the first place. A change to a majority vote, be it by population or simple state voting, small countries like Ireland would oppose the change = it cannot be done.
On top of this, you have the lack of understanding in the population about how the EU works and selling the change to the population would not be possible.
See our politicians, blaming “Brussels”, using as an excuse, when the Irish MEPs voted on it, the Irish politicians in whatever position in the EU agreed to the change.
You just have to read the comments here about the “EU took this or that from us”. In any case, the Irish government made a deal, wanted and got something in return.
Anyone asking to leave the EU cannot be in his\her mind anyway.
The UK as a G7 country is struggling – it would be an economical wipe-out for Ireland, tiny in comparison to the UK.
If Orban wants to continue being a pain in the backside, then his country should just walk from the EU and buddy up with Russia and see if Putin doesn’t end up stabbing Hungary in the back.
He seems to forget that Hungary was only admitted to the EU after the fall of the Iron Curtain to get it out of Russia’s orbit. Beyond that, it had nothing much to offer. Realistically, we’d be better off asking Hungary to leave and taking in Ukraine in their place.
@Harry Callahan: Oh really. And what about every other Baltic and Slav state. A ridiculous comment and one you probably heard on RTE which has planted itself deep in your brain. If you knew anything about the history of Hungary and Magar and the Ukraine, you would certainly pray that Ukraine never comes into the EU. So you can chirp away with yer mates the narrative you guzzke down on the six one news but any day I would tsje Hungary over the scammers of Ukraine.
@Harry Callahan: Ask them nicely LOL.
Let’s be honest ,of all countries were allowed to decide by vote,results would be the same.
@KO: nah. You’re talking b****x
Russia puppet
Kick Hungary out of the Eu
@DAN TEDSON: Hungary are entitled to their voice and their veto.
@Pat B:
Absolutely they are, and if a majority of the rest of the people of the EU want them to leave, they are entitled to tell them to do so.
@DAN TEDSON: We can always start with a, wrll aimed punt at your backdoor… Go and get your markers while you are at it and make your cardboard placards to welcome Syria and Turkey into the EU.
@DAN TEDSON: Can’t! Even if ye feel so bad about out it..
Ukraine was denied EU membership due to rampant corruption. That hasn’t changed. It’s an economic basketcase. Their gimp president wants more money and more weapons, that’s it.
It’s possible to not support Orban’s rule in lovely Hungary and also recognise that the big heads in the EU like Von Der leyen only believe in democracy done their way, they are fellow warmongers and the same EU has sat back laughing while over 40 billion in foreign banking debt has been foisted on the people of our little Emerald isle.
Make sure now and write to sliveen Martin about how we will always be good little boys and girls for Brussels now. Godbless
I THINK WE SHOULD KICK OUT MR MARTIN AND BRING ON SOME HUNGARY POLITICIANS .. They might care more about the Irish… Sorry! Ireland first, Europe later ..
Hungary out.
They don’t belong in the EU.
@Fergus O’Donnell: only Hungarians has the rights to quit, you shut up.
I think Hungary is the misfit in the bloc.
@Mary.E.: No! They’ll bring change to the rotten EU with the Patriots for Europe.
Anybody believing a “poll” undertaken by Orban is the problem…..ifvits such a problem for Hungary, they can always leave the EU….#Huxit….. we can swap Hungary in instead of Ukraine?
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