Hungary's Orban says EU should first sign strategic partnership accord with Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends the European Union leaders summit, in Brussels, Belgium October 26, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The European Union should first sign a strategic partnership agreement with Ukraine instead of starting membership talks with the country, Hungary's Viktor Orban said on Friday, flagging a way to a possible compromise ahead of a crucial EU summit.

The 27 national EU leaders are due to decide in mid-December on whether to accept the European Commission's recommendation to invite Kyiv to begin membership talks as soon as it meets final conditions, even as it fights to repel Russia's invasion.