BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The European Union has decided to boycott informal meetings hosted by Hungary during its EU presidency after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's controversial meetings with foreign leaders regarding Ukraine. The European Commission president and other top officials will not attend these meetings in Budapest due to recent developments at the start of Hungary's presidency.
Since taking over the rotating presidency on July 1, Orbán has engaged in discussions with leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, China, and the United States as part of what he calls a 'peace mission' to end the conflict in Ukraine. However, his actions have upset EU leaders who were not informed in advance and clarified that Orbán was not representing the bloc during his meetings with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
Hungary's European affairs minister criticized the European Commission's decision, questioning whether political considerations were influencing their choices. The Hungarian government also suggested that the decision was driven by bias and political motives.
The boycott means that senior civil servants will attend the informal meetings in Hungary instead of top EU officials like the European Commission president. Orbán's government has diverged from the EU's stance by refusing to provide weapons to Ukraine and threatening to block financial aid to the country.
Orbán's political director stated that the prime minister had briefed other EU leaders in writing following his visit to Moscow, emphasizing the need for a change in approach to achieve peace in Ukraine. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized Orbán for attempting to appease Putin, stating that unity and determination are essential for achieving peace.
Hungary has advocated for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in Ukraine but has not clarified its stance on territorial integrity and future security. Critics of Orbán accuse him of undermining EU and NATO unity and interests by pursuing an appeasement strategy towards Russia's aggression.
