Speaking in Brussels on Monday after a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Sikorski said that Ukraine’s accession process is vital for the country’s morale.
"As the current EU presidency, we feel a special responsibility for this," Sikorski told reporters. "We would like to open at least one, possibly two, negotiation clusters, but unfortunately, our old friend and former ally, Hungary, is once again blocking a decision."
Ukraine’s accession negotiations formally began in June last year. The European Commission, which oversees the process, then launched an initial review to assess Ukraine’s alignment with EU legislation.
For talks on specific chapters to proceed, all EU member states must give unanimous approval.
Ukraine’s negotiations involve 35 chapters, with 33 grouped into six thematic clusters and two handled separately. The first to be opened is the “fundamental cluster,” covering state institutions and the judiciary. It will also be the last to close.
Sikorski said there was a lively debate at the Brussels meeting over whether accession decisions should be based solely on meeting EU criteria rather than being influenced by bilateral concerns.
Addressing Poland’s opposition parties, which maintain close ideological ties with Hungary’s ruling party, he urged them to push for Hungary to lift its veto.
He also criticized a Hungarian initiative involving the Polish conservative organization Ordo Iuris and the Washington-based think tank Heritage Foundation.
"There are reports that they are advising the US administration on how to dismantle Europe," Sikorski said. "I would like to ask Poland’s opposition whether paralyzing the EU is in our national interest," he added.
EU ministers also discussed ways to strengthen Ukraine’s position in negotiations with Russia.
Sikorski noted that while Ukraine has enough resources to sustain its government and military this year, additional funds are necessary. He said there was broad support for increasing European defense spending, including aid for Ukraine.
Asked about a proposed EUR 40 billion military aid package for Ukraine, put forward by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Sikorski said discussions on the initiative were ongoing.
He argued that supporting Ukraine in the medium term is crucial. "Putin will only back down when he sees that we are not losing patience and that we are committed to this cause," he said.
Sikorski also commented on Ukraine’s recent agreement to a 30-day ceasefire, negotiated last week in Jeddah with the United States.
He called it a test of who truly wants peace. "Ukraine has agreed to the ceasefire, but Russia continues to set conditions, which means it does not agree,” he said.
He was also asked about former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s endorsement of George Simion, leader of Romania’s nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), in the country’s presidential election.
Sikorski said it is not customary for allied nations to interfere so openly in each other’s political processes. "Meeting with opposition leaders is normal since they may one day be in government, but publicly endorsing candidates in foreign elections is risky and undiplomatic," he said.
Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers in Brussels attended a conference on solidarity with Syria. Sikorski announced that Poland would provide EUR 2 million in humanitarian aid for Syrians.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl