The European Union has decided to strip Hungary of its hosting rights for the next meeting of foreign and defence ministers due to its controversial stance on the war in Ukraine.
This move follows Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, which has sparked anger and condemnation from various EU leaders.
Hungary, which assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union weeks ago, was set to host the informal ministerial meetings in Budapest from 28-30 August. However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced on Monday that the meetings would instead take place in Brussels.
Borrell cited Orban’s comments after the meeting with Putin, where the Hungarian leader accused the EU of maintaining a “pro-war policy,” as a primary reason for the change. “If you want to talk about the war party, talk about Putin,” Borrell stated. He added that it was essential to send a symbolic signal reflecting the EU’s disapproval of Hungary’s actions.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto responded to the decision on Facebook, describing it as a “fantastic response” and likening it to being in a “kindergarten.”
The decision has seen support from 26 of the 27 EU member states, with only Slovakia backing Hungary in the dispute. This latest incident adds to a series of disagreements between Hungary and the rest of the EU regarding the appropriate response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The episode has also prompted criticism from various EU leaders. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned Orban’s meeting with Putin as “nothing but an appeasement mission,” while Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also voiced strong disapproval.
Orban’s recent diplomatic engagements, including meetings with Ukrainian and Chinese leaders and a visit to the US to meet Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, have further fuelled tensions within the EU. This diplomatic tour, branded a “peace mission” by Orban, has been widely criticised as undermining the EU’s united stance against Russia.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has frequently found itself at odds with the majority of the EU. Orban’s re-election campaign in April 2022 included contentious remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Additionally, Hungary has used its veto power to delay significant EU financial aid packages to Ukraine, exacerbating the rift with other member states.
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