THE Council of the European Union is holding a hearing next week which could deprive Hungary of its vote.

The agenda, published on the EU Council website yesterday, said: “Ministers will hold the eighth hearing of Hungary as part of the Article 7 procedure triggered by the European Parliament’s reasoned proposal of September 2018.”

Article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union allows for suspension of some rights of member states, including the voting rights of a country’s representative in the EU Council, over actions that run counter to “common values.”

The Financial Times recently reported that EU officials have discussed depriving Hungary of a vote due to Budapest’s ability to block EU decisions requiring unanimity, primarily on issues related to Russia.

The future accession of Ukraine to the EU may also be a factor in the move.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday accused Ukraine of conducting intelligence operations on Hungarian territory.

Speaking on Kossuth radio, Mr Orban said he was familiar with video recordings showing “the work of Ukrainian agents identified by the Hungarian state.”

He claimed the individuals have been attempting to sway public opinion in favour of Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

The Hungarian leader said: “Many of their actions indicate that they are trying to convince Hungarians to support Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.

“The Ukrainians want to mobilise the Hungarian opposition and are carrying out disinformation campaigns” to “undermine confidence in the referendum currently taking place in Hungary regarding Ukraine’s accession to the association.”

Mr Orban said: “Their special services are conducting operational activities on Hungarian territory to force the government to make a decision that goes against our interests.”

Mr Orban said that he remained opposed to Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the EU, which Brussels is trying to support. But he would base his decision on the outcome of the referendum.