Lithuanian FM: EU Has ‘Plan B’ to Bypass Hungary’s Veto on Ukraine Talks

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said that the EU has a “plan B” that will allow negotiations on Ukraine's accession to move forward despite Hungary's veto.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Ukrainian Pravda.

Kęstutis Budrys stressed that the normal EU enlargement process requires that a country's progress depends on its achievements, and Ukraine meets the criteria, but Budapest is manipulating its veto power.

“We cannot be held hostage [by Hungary's veto], and there are ways for us to move forward. While Denmark still holds the presidency, we have the opportunity and time to move on to informal stages, which will be formally finalized a little later. The current enlargement methodology allows for such an approach," said Budrys. 

He explained that “plan B” involves the use of alternative, informal stages of enlargement, which may subsequently be formally approved. This approach will allow the EU to maintain the attention of member states, mobilize resources, and sustain the momentum of reforms in Ukraine without violating EU rules.

The Minister noted that he was unaware of the reasons behind Hungary's veto, but that Lithuania and other member states were looking for ways to avoid political “hostage-taking.”

He stressed the need to take action and noted that informal negotiations could be an effective mechanism for preparing Ukraine for European integration.

“Of course. The impulse exists now. It is dangerous to postpone it. I have seen this many times... Maintaining political focus where it is now is a difficult task,” said the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.

Kęstutis Budrys also assured that the formation of a new government and the presence of the Nemuno Aušra party in the coalition do not threaten support for Ukraine. He stressed that assistance to Kyiv is in the strategic interest of Lithuania and the entire Euro-Atlantic community, and this policy will remain unchanged.

“We are doing this for many reasons. One of them is the interest of Lithuanians and the Euro-Atlantic community in greater security and stability in Europe. We consider assistance to Ukraine to be in our own security interests. And that has not changed,” the Minister stressed.

As The Gaze reported earlier, during his visit to Kyiv, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys officially opened the Office of the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency in Ukraine, strengthening cooperation in reconstruction.