EU set for summit showdown over Ukraine accession talks as Hungary stands firm

FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during the inauguration of newly-elected President Javier Milei, in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 10, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Hungary said on Monday it would not bow to pressure from other European Union states to give the green light for accession talks with Ukraine, setting the stage for a showdown at an EU summit this week.

Ukraine's foreign minister said it would be "devastating" for his country and the EU if the Dec. 14-15 summit did not the go-ahead for membership talks and more financial and military aid for Kyiv to defend itself against Russia's invasion.