Presenting Weber’s Plan: These Decisions on Ukraine Are Also Binding for Peter Magyar

At its congress in Valencia, the European People’s Party, led by Manfred Weber, adopted a series of decisions regarding Ukraine. Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party belong to this political family in Brussels, making the EPP’s positions binding for them as well. The objective is clear: further war-related assistance and Ukraine’s fast-tracked EU membership, with backing for the country's NATO accession too.

Peter Magyar, President of the Tisza Party and Member of the European Parliament (left), and Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party (EPP), hold a press conference in Strasbourg on October 9, 2024. (Photo: MTI/Boglarka Bodnar)

“One thing we agree on is that the crucial task now is to strengthen Ukraine—politically, militarily, legally, economically, and from a humanitarian standpoint—with firm long-term guarantees along its path toward EU and NATO membership,” reads one of the key resolutions adopted by the European People’s Party last week.

Manfred Weber and Peter Magyar: united for Ukraine’s EU membership (Photo: MTI / Boglarka Bodnar)

Peter Magyar and his delegation sit in the Brussels faction of the party led by Mr. Weber, which means the positions taken by their party president and faction leader is also binding for them — namely, the goal of steering Ukraine not just toward EU membership, but also toward NATO accession in the coming years. It is worth recalling that Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, the Tisza Party’s defense policy chief, previously said that the deployment of EU or NATO forces into Ukraine could only be considered if Ukraine was already a member of either alliance.

However, this is not the only major decision with significant consequences made by Mr. Weber and his allies in Valencia. They also decided to accelerate Ukraine’s accession talks. Specifically, they adopted the following language, calling on “all relevant parties”:

“In order to accelerate the accession negotiations during the Polish and Danish presidencies of the EU Council, by opening all negotiation chapters as early as possible in 2025, we will examine the possibility of using unanimous voting only for the closure of the negotiation chapters.”

In plainer terms, this complex and bureaucratic language means the EPP wants to fast-track Ukraine’s EU accession in an unprecedented manner. They intend to begin negotiations this year—talks that are typically conducted over the span of more than 30 chapters. For comparison, Hungary’s accession process took nearly five years, despite the fact that Hungary was clearly far more prepared at the outset than Ukraine is today.

In Ukraine’s case, however, Mr. Weber and his allies are even willing to override EU law to achieve this acceleration. According to the European Parliament’s website, “based on a recommendation from the Commission, the Council decides unanimously whether to open additional chapters or policy areas.” However, under the EPP’s proposal, the requirement for unanimity — thus, the potential for a Hungarian veto — would be removed for the opening of chapters. This is why they wrote: “we will examine the possibility of using unanimous voting only for the closure of the negotiation chapters.” Thus, anyone denying the central intention to fast-track Ukraine’s accession and eliminate opportunities for vetoes is either mistaken or not being truthful.

But even that is not the end of the plan. Mr. Weber’s platform continues: “accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the EU’s internal market, and the EU’s internal reform process, in order to meet the challenges of the next enlargement.” In other words, Peter Magyar’s political family in Brussels would weaken the current system of conditions meant to ensure that Ukraine fulfills the rigorous requirements of EU membership—while at the same time, they believe the European Union must be restructured to accommodate Ukraine’s entry.

As has become almost customary for Mr. Weber’s camp, they are not advocating for the initiation or facilitation of peace talks. Instead, their actions aim to continue the war. “Immediately begin increasing defense expenditures to meet at least NATO expectations and increase direct military support for Ukraine,” one of their resolution states.

The resolution goes into further detail: “maximize and accelerate military-technical assistance to Ukraine,” listing various categories of military aid: “provide air defense systems (especially Patriot and SAMP/T), MANPADS, artillery systems, large-caliber artillery shells and ammunition, long-range missiles, armor, electronic warfare systems, engineering and demining equipment, drones, and materials necessary to build strong and effective fortifications and defensive lines.”

Finally, it adds: “remove all restrictions on the use of weapons provided to Ukraine for strikes against legitimate targets on Russian territory.”

In sum, the decisions made by the European People’s Party—binding for Peter Magyar’s party as well—can be encapsulated in the statement made by the EPP’s president and parliamentary group leader in Strasbourg on Tuesday: “Support for Ukraine is unconditional, and it must remain so.” He also declared, “In the European People’s Party, we support Ukraine with all our tools and all our strength—this is our position.”

The leader of Peter Magyar’s political family made no effort to conceal his intent to impose this decision on the Hungarian people either: “The European People’s Party seeks to offer Ukraine a clear European perspective. Just as the Hungarian people gladly joined this great family to enjoy the benefits of free movement, the single market, economic growth, and political security within the European Union, so too must the Ukrainian people have the same right to do so. Just as the Hungarian people joined 20 years ago to become part of this great family, the Ukrainian people have the same right today.”

Cover photo: Peter Magyar, President of the Tisza Party and Member of the European Parliament (left), and Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party (EPP), hold a press conference in Strasbourg on October 9, 2024. (Photo: MTI/Boglarka Bodnar)