Foreign affairs ministers of the European Union have closed ranks to rebuke Hungary for its continued threats to derail the bloc's support for Ukraine.
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00:00 Tensions are growing in the EU over Hungary`s resistance towards opening up Ukraine`s membership
00:07 talks to join the bloc.
00:08 At a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on Monday, Hungary dug its heels in on the
00:13 issue, angering many other member states that would like to speed up Ukraine`s accession
00:18 process.
00:20 The only way I can read Hungarian position, not just on Ukraine, but on many other issues,
00:27 is that they are against Europe and everything that Europe stands for.
00:33 At a crucial summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, the issue of membership will
00:38 be debated and also on giving Ukraine an additional 50 billion euros in financial support, a lifeline
00:44 for a country defending itself against Russia`s invasion.
00:48 Hungary is currently blocking both issues.
00:51 Ukraine`s foreign minister, Dmitry Kuleba, who was also in the Belgian capital, says
00:57 the stakes are very high for both sides.
01:01 I cannot imagine, I don`t even want to talk about the devastating consequences that will
01:10 occur shall the council fail to make this decision, not only with regard to Ukraine,
01:18 but in a broader sense on the issue of enlargement as a whole.
01:23 But Hungary is vowing to maintain its veto as it says Kiev is not ready to join the EU,
01:28 blaming the European Commission for making what it calls a false evaluation of the situation
01:33 in Ukraine.
01:34 Our position is clear.
01:35 At the moment, the situation is not ready to start negotiations with the European Union,
01:48 Ukraine.
01:49 And this is not a tactical position, but a well-founded position.
01:58 Kiev says it`s fulfilled the EU`s demands to begin talks in record speed, particularly
02:02 in regard to the fight against corruption and justice reforms.
02:05 [WHOOSH]
02:09 (whooshing)