Ukrainian foreign minister: Ukraine's EU accession may speed up after Orbán election defeat

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said he hopes the collapse of Viktor Orbán's regime in Hungary will give Ukraine a chance to accelerate its accession to the European Union.

Sybiha said at ADF Talks on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that he believes that after years of "provocations from the Orbán regime", Ukraine has gained a chance to progress faster towards EU membership and for the six negotiating clusters to be opened, the €90 billion EU loan unblocked and the 20th Russia sanctions package strengthened.

The failure of the anti-Ukraine rhetoric during the election campaign in Hungary has sent a signal to similar political groups in other countries that this kind of rhetoric does not work," he said.

On 12 April, a few hours after polling stations closed in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat after 16 years in power and congratulated his rivals on their victory.

Politico said Orbán, who is stepping down as head of the Hungarian government, will not attend an informal European Council meeting next week in Cyprus.

In his first interview after his election defeat, Orbán also said he accepts full responsibility for the result, which has turned Fidesz into an opposition party.