Hungary continues to oppose grain export from Ukraine and its membership in the EU.

The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, is concerned about the accelerated pace of Ukraine’s EU membership process and the possible lifting of the Ukrainian grain export ban by the EU after September 15, said the press service of the state secretary of Hungary. Orban does not like the idea that Ukraine could join the EU before countries that have been candidates for years. In this context, he emphasized the need for a clear membership perspective for the people of the Balkans.

Also, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán advocated that the ban on importing Ukrainian grain into Hungary should remain in effect even after the European Commission’s ban expires on September 15.

Recently, the Hungarian government blocked a further €500M ($542M) tranche of EU financial assistance to Ukraine and would be reluctant to back additional sanctions against Russia.