Orban has no reason to block Ukraine’s accession to EU – Zelensky

During brief talks with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asked him to name at least one reason why the state should not be in the EU.

While the EU chief urges support for 'strong' Ukraine, Orban promises to veto Kyiv's EU membership proposal.

"We had a dialog. It is true. I think we need to organize a constructive meeting between our countries because we have common borders, we are neighbors, and we need to talk.

One of the very important topics that I raised with him was that we need to talk, we need to solve problems. That's why we just need to meet. I showed him my positive attitude towards this idea.

I think I am right and I made it clear to him that he has no reason to block Ukraine's membership in the European Union. I asked him to give me at least one reason. Not three, not five, not ten, but only one reason, and I am waiting for an answer," the President said.

The European Commission said on Wednesday that it is waiting for a final step from Hungary to unlock 10 billion euros that was frozen over concerns that Orban had damaged democratic checks and balances.

On December 14 and 15, EU leaders will meet at a Brussels summit to decide on providing 50 billion euros of economic support to Kyiv, 20 billion euros for the Armed Forces, and start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the bloc.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba predicts that the discussion about opening or not opening negotiations with Ukraine will last literally "until the last minute" of the summit.