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FM Szijjártó Rejects Ukraine EU Bid and Criticizes EU Leadership in CNN Interview

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In a candid and at times confrontational interview with CNN’s Richard Quest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó defended his government’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession, slammed the European Union’s leadership, and rejected criticism over Hungary’s stance on LGBTQ rights. Speaking on a range of contentious issues — from EU sanctions and transatlantic trade to the banning of Budapest Pride — FM Szijjártó argued that Hungary is being unfairly pressured by Brussels and portrayed his homeland as a country acting in its own national interest, despite mounting international criticism.

On the topic of Ukraine joining the EU, FM Szijjártó reaffirmed Hungary’s opposition to the move. “When we consider EU enlargement, the key question is how to strengthen the bloc. Ukraine would certainly not make the European Union stronger — quite the opposite. A country at war could bring that conflict into the EU, and we do not want that,” the minister said.

He stressed that Ukraine’s current state would significantly weaken the EU. Péter Szijjártó also pointed to Hungary’s ongoing support for Ukraine, citing the country’s largest-ever humanitarian effort and its role as Ukraine’s primary electricity supplier.“If we weren’t supplying Ukraine with electricity, their systems couldn’t function. If we hadn’t helped the refugees, people might rightly claim we’re not supporting Ukraine. But in reality, we are helping in many ways,” he said.

However, he drew a firm line, stating Hungary would not allow its own national interests to be harmed.

Hungarians have been paying the price of this war for too long, despite having no responsibility for it,”

he added.

At the same time, FM Szijjártó emphasized the violation of ethnic Hungarians’ rights in Ukraine over the past decade — particularly their right to use their mother tongue in education, culture, and public administration.

“A country that seriously infringes on minority rights like this cannot simply be allowed to join the European Union,”

he concluded.

On EU-U.S. trade relations, Quest asked whether Hungary and its businesses could cope with a 15% tariff on trade with the United States. Péter Szijjártó responded that Hungary has a strong interest in keeping tariffs as low as possible, since

The U.S. is Hungary’s second-largest trading partner outside the EU and the third-largest group of investors in the country.

However, he criticized the European Commission for making what he called a “serious mistake” by imposing tariffs on U.S. automotive exports that were four times higher than those imposed by the U.S. on European goods. “Had the Commission reduced those tariffs, as Hungary suggested from the beginning, we would be in a much better position now,” he said. “It’s a shame the Commission failed to secure a better deal.”

He went on to criticize the EU’s leadership more broadly, calling it “extremely weak” and “unfit for the task.” In FM Szijjártó’s view, the bloc has failed to negotiate favorable agreements in recent years and has lost global economic and political standing due to declining competitiveness.

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The interview concluded with a discussion on LGBTQ rights in Hungary. Quest posed a personal question: whether he and his husband could walk hand-in-hand in Budapest without facing penalties. Péter Szijjártó replied that events like Pride prove that love is free in Hungary. “You can love whoever you want and live with whoever you want — the state has no say in that,” he said.

At the same time, he underscored a request from the Hungarian government:

All we ask is that people don’t behave provocatively, embarrassingly, or rudely in public.”

Citing examples from Pride parades in other European cities, he emphasized that inappropriate behavior in public spaces — especially in front of children — is unacceptable.

This statement echoed the Hungarian government’s position that so-called “child protection” measures take precedence in its social policies, even as critics argue they disproportionately target LGBTQ communities.

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Via CNN; Featured image: Screenshot 





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