Only one country is blocking negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession.

The EU is close to reaching a consensus on starting accession talks with Ukraine, with Hungary being the only country currently opposed. Twenty-six of the 27 EU members believe Ukraine deserves to begin negotiations not only because it meets the requirements but also due to the geopolitical context.

“We are all convinced that the negotiations should be open. And now the question is whether Orban will join in,” diplomats say.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that Ukraine’s EU accession during the war could involve the EU directly in the conflict.

Orban also announced the results of a “consultative referendum,” in which 2.168 million Hungarians voted in favor of “we cannot take the risks associated with Ukraine’s accession to the EU.” According to Orban, this represents 95% of those who participated in the survey. Hungary’s population exceeds 9.5 million, with about 7.8 million registered voters. Based on these figures, approximately 29% of Hungarians participated in Orban’s “referendum.”

The Hungarian opposition asserts that only about 600,000 Hungarians took part in the vote.