Zelenskyy Urges EU to Override Hungary’s Block on Ukraine’s Membership Bid

Zelenskyy Urges EU to Resolve Hungary Block on Ukraine’s Membership Bid

Rome, July 11, 2025 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his country’s commitment to joining the European Union, urging EU leaders to find a way around Hungary’s veto that continues to obstruct Ukraine’s path toward membership.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Zelenskyy met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, expressing gratitude for a fresh €2 billion ($2.3 billion) support package and the creation of the European Flagship Fund to boost Ukraine’s reconstruction.

“European integration remains our top priority,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine is fully prepared to open all negotiation clusters under Denmark’s current EU Council presidency.

He stressed that resolving Hungary’s opposition is now critical. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has consistently voiced concern over integrating a country engaged in active war, claiming it would jeopardize the EU’s cohesion and security.

Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts in Rome also included bilateral talks with the leaders of Germany, Finland, Bulgaria, and Poland, all of whom expressed continued support for Ukraine’s defense and EU ambitions.

Key Highlights from Zelenskyy’s Meetings:

• Germany: Zelenskyy thanked Chancellor Friedrich Merz for Berlin’s air defense assistance and growing support for drone production, calling Germany a “crucial ally” in unblocking Ukraine’s EU path.
• Finland: He praised Finnish PM Petteri Orpo for unwavering support and emphasized the importance of joint drone ventures to combat Russian and Iranian drone strikes.
• Bulgaria: Discussions with PM Rosen Zhelyazkov focused on energy security and strategic cooperation in the energy sector.
• Poland: PM Donald Tusk was thanked for defense aid and Poland’s role in the European Flagship Fund. Zelenskyy also highlighted Poland’s strategic value as a logistics hub for international assistance.

Zelenskyy later joined the Coalition of the Willing meeting, attended by 32 delegations, including US envoy Gen. Keith Kellogg and Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal.

“The Coalition is not just symbolic—it is a working format for Ukraine’s long-term security and immediate defense needs,” Zelenskyy said.