On October 26, 2026, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga expressed his thoughts on the candidacy of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for the position of UN Secretary-General. He emphasized that Orban, if appointed, could utilize his skills in veto and blackmail that he has developed over the years by blocking key decisions in the European Union.
Risks of Orban's Appointment
Sibiga pointed out that Orban, as UN Secretary-General, could take actions that threaten the stability of international relations. The minister highlighted that his experience in blocking EU decisions could negatively impact the functioning of the UN. This, in turn, could lead to:
- A decrease in the effectiveness of the UN;
- Complications in international negotiations;
- An increase in tensions among member states.
Ukraine's Experience with Orban
Sibiga also recalled an incident that occurred at the EU summit in December 2023, when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suggested to Orban to step out for coffee. This moment proved to be critically important, as it was then that EU leaders voted to begin negotiations on Ukraine's membership. Orban's absence from the room allowed them to avoid his veto on this significant decision.
Sibiga believes that Ukraine should share its experience with other countries to prevent potential negative consequences from Orban's appointment to such an important international position.