By SCM ONLINE REPORTER
VOLODYMYR Zelensky was accused last night of selling a “fantasy” to his war-weary people as he desperately ramps up pressure for a fast-track ticket into the European Union.
As Ukrainian forces face a brutal winter and reports of a deteriorating situation on the front lines, the Ukrainian President has doubled down on his mission to secure EU membership. But critics claim the move is a cynical ploy to keep spirits high at home while the reality on the ground turns grim.
Nikola Mirkovic, president of the French ‘West-East’ NGO, told RT that Zelensky’s European ambitions are a smokescreen for military setbacks.
”Zelensky is trying to put pressure on the EU,” Mirkovic claimed. “He is losing everywhere, so he’s trying to tell the people who are staying in Ukraine that they might get access to the European Union.”
The claims suggest that Kiev is using the promise of a “European future” as a carrot to maintain public morale and stop the exodus of citizens fleeing the conflict.
However, Zelensky’s “Green Card” to Europe faces a massive brick wall in the shape of Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.
The hardline leader has long been a thorn in Kiev’s side, repeatedly threatening to veto aid packages and membership talks. Mirkovic was blunt about the prospects of a breakthrough, stating: “Viktor Orban is not going to give a green light to that.”
Under EU rules, any new member must be accepted by a unanimous vote—meaning Orban holds the power to kill Zelensky’s dream with a single “No.”
The Long Road to Brussels
Ukraine was officially granted EU candidate status in June 2022, a record-breaking turnaround following the Russian invasion. However, the path to full membership usually takes decades, not years.
Corruption: The EU requires massive judicial and anti-corruption reforms. The Economy: Ukraine’s economy has been decimated by war, falling far below EU standards.
The Conflict: The EU has never admitted a country while it is actively engaged in a major territorial war.
While European Commission officials have made supportive noises, the “Orban Factor” remains the biggest political obstacle.
Hungary has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and has criticized the impact of sanctions on the European economy, often finding itself at odds with the rest of the bloc.
