Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is convinced that if, due to the blockade by Hungary, the European Union is not able to decide to start membership negotiations with Ukraine, this will have catastrophic consequences, including for the EU, but will not stop the process expansion – Ukraine will be a member of the Community.

He said this in Brussels on Monday before the start of a meeting of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs, in which Kuleba will also take part. "I came here with a clear message of Ukraine's readiness to do its homework to begin accession negotiations and move towards EU membership. We also expect the European Union to make a decision that will appreciate the efforts made by Ukraine and provide my country with the opportunity to begin negotiations about accession," the minister outlined the expectations of Kyiv.

At the same time, Kuleba said that on the agenda of the upcoming "difficult" meeting of the European Council, which will be held in Brussels on December 14 and 15, there will be "four specific issues" that are related to Ukraine: the first – on the start of accession negotiations, the second – on admission a mechanism that will ensure the financial stability of Ukraine, the third issue is about the continuation of funding for the European Peace Facility and the fourth issue is about the adoption of the 12th package of sanctions.

Asked what the consequences might be if there is no unity in the EU on these issues, he said: "I believe the stakes are very high for both Ukraine and the European Union. For the people of Ukraine, this will be an extremely demotivating decision, but also for the European Union this will be a signal for content in the area of expansion... I have no doubt that the expansion process will continue, Ukraine will be a member of the EU," Kuleba said.

However, the Ukrainian minister believes that in this case the EU will make a "historic mistake." "This is not even about the membership of specific countries, this is about the future of the European Union as a force, not just as a union, but as a source of strength in Europe and beyond," he said.

Speaking about the blocking position of Budapest, Kuleba expressed misunderstanding of such actions, since Ukraine, "as Hungary wanted it," changed its legislation on the education and use of the language of national minorities. He also categorically rejected accusations that Ukraine is corrupt. "We know where this narrative comes from; it is a catchphrase not supported by facts," the minister said.

Commenting at the request of journalists on the conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban as part of events dedicated to the inauguration of the President of Argentina, Kuleba said he was in Brussels, and President Zelenskyy was in Argentina. "I was not present at this short conversation, and I cannot share with you the atmosphere [of the meeting]," he said.