European Union leaders have expressed their disapproval of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's recent actions, leading to a boycott of an informal meeting hosted by Hungary. Orbán's unannounced trips to Moscow and Beijing earlier this month, under the guise of a 'peace mission' to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, have raised concerns among EU officials.
Orbán's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump have sparked criticism from EU partners who fear he is undermining EU unity on support for Ukraine. Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council.
As a response to Orbán's actions, several EU nations, including Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic countries, along with the EU Commission, decided to boycott meetings in Budapest and send lower-level officials instead. However, some countries like Austria, Belgium, and Bulgaria attended an informal energy meeting in Hungary's capital, downplaying the boycott.
While Hungarian officials had mixed reactions to the boycott, with some criticizing it as political blackmail, others emphasized Hungary's commitment to cooperation with all member states and institutions. The EU Commission spokesperson highlighted their disapproval of Orbán's uncoordinated trips and the negative impact they had on EU unity.
The ongoing tensions between Orbán's government and EU leaders reflect broader concerns about Hungary's presidency and its handling of diplomatic relations within the EU.
