KYIV, Ukraine — European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed unwavering confidence during a visit to war-torn Ukraine that the nation’s accession to the bloc remains unstoppable, despite objections from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Speaking at a severely damaged thermal power plant in western Ukraine, the Slovenian diplomat dismissed concerns about Hungary potentially derailing Ukraine’s EU membership path. “I’m not worried,” Kos told reporters amidst the wreckage of critical energy infrastructure targeted by Russia’s systematic campaign. “I would be concerned only if there were legitimate substantive reservations.”
Kos characterized Ukraine’s eventual EU integration as “inevitable” and described it as a “political anchor of security guarantees,” emphasizing that “There has never been a war on the territory of the European Union.” Her remarks came as she convened an informal meeting of European affairs ministers to prepare for the next phase of accession negotiations.
While Ukraine aspires to join the bloc by 2030, Prime Minister Orbán has opposed initiating membership talks during ongoing hostilities. Kos directly addressed these objections, stating, “We do not require Orbán’s approval to implement the reforms essential for Ukraine’s EU membership.”
The Commissioner suggested the accession process could accelerate based on reform implementation, noting, “The pace of this journey depends entirely on Ukraine’s progress with necessary transformations.”
Her visit included an inspection of a devastated power facility operated by private utility DTEK, where heavy machinery stood blackened, control panels melted, and structural damage revealed gaping openings to the sky. Turbine operator Andrii, who requested partial anonymity for security reasons, recounted the chaos of recent attacks: “The initial sensation is an overwhelming adrenaline surge. Thick smoke, deafening noise, and intense pressure create disorientation amid escaping steam and high-temperature feedwater.”
Kos praised the extraordinary resilience of Ukrainian energy workers and citizens, declaring, “No nation worldwide demonstrates greater fortitude than Ukrainians. Putin anticipated a week-long conquest, yet nearly four years later, you stand as victors.”