Former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš, whose ANO (Yes) party has emerged as the clear winner in the country’s general election over the weekend, says that Ukraine should not join the European Union while it is at war with Russia.
Babiš’ view is shared by many officials across Europe, but has so far only really been vocalised by Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian government—which is being punished by Brussels as a result. It is also illustrative of the “much-needed” rise of the “pro-peace bloc,” as Rafael Pinto Borges highlights in europeanconservative.com today.
Asked by reporters whether he supports Ukraine’s accession to the EU, as well as to NATO, Babiš said the country is “not prepared for [the] EU.”
We have to end the war first. We will of course cooperate with Ukraine but you are not ready for the EU.
Realism returns to 🇨🇿 Prague: when asked if he would support Ukraine’s EU and NATO accession, @AndrejBabis was clear: “We have to end the war first.” Ukraine is not ready for the EU — a message 🇭🇺Hungary has long voiced: peace must come before Brussels’ war-driven ambitions‼️ pic.twitter.com/Z8fJ9M03ib
This echoes Orbán’s warning that Ukraine’s accession now would bring war to the bloc.
The Hungarian PM’s political director, Balázs Orbán, responded on Sunday that “realism returns to Prague,” adding: “peace must come before Brussels’ war-driven ambitions.”
Viktor Orbán himself has also celebrated the “good news for Europe,” saying: “Their victory strengthens every patriot in Europe!”
In Central Europe, we still know what matters: faith, family, sovereignty. The Czech people have chosen wisely. Their victory strengthens every patriot in Europe! 🇭🇺🤝🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/sl70skLkIN
Brussels has been planning to move forward with Ukraine’s accession despite Hungary’s opposition by overruling the country’s veto, thus violating the treaties. It may find it more difficult to do this if resistance arises in Prague too, as it now seems it will.
Babiš, who previously served as PM from 2017 to 2021, has kicked off coalition talks following his win over the weekend.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
