Policy

EU leaders find a way to counter Orban and his blocking of aid to Kyiv

European leaders have found a way to counter Hungary’s support for key political positions on Ukraine. But this does not mean that Budapest cannot create problems. Politico writes about this, according to Komersant ukrainskyi

The presidents and prime ministers of the bloc met in Brussels on Thursday to sign a series of new commitments ranging from economic competitiveness to financial markets.

“However, the most pressing issue, as always, is support for Ukraine, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has consistently opposed any effort to increase military aid or speed up the country’s EU accession process,” the newspaper said.

The rules usually require that all 27 EU countries agree on a joint statement. However, when Hungary tried to derail the EU’s proposals to help Kyiv, it was approved by the other 26 countries and added to other resolutions that were unanimously approved.

“The statement on Ukraine will be issued today as an appendix on behalf of the 26. This is a new norm. And it is useful when it comes to political intentions. Although we may face other problems in the future,” said one senior EU diplomat.

The tactic seems to be working, and diplomats told POLITICO they intend to use it again.

Orban has previously accused Europe of funding a “hopeless war” in Ukraine

As a reminder, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban went on an international tour immediately after Hungary took over the presidency of the European Union, which he calls a “peacekeeping mission.” First, he visited Kyiv for the first time in many years, then went to Moscow a day later, and also reached China. Orbán labels his visit to China as the same “peace mission.”

At the same time, Orban continues to stubbornly label his information materials with the hashtag and the mark #HU24EU, which means the Hungarian presidency of the European Union.

During his “tour,” Orban gave an interview to the German tabloid Bild, during which he stated that in the next 2-3 months there would be more victims of the war in Ukraine than in the last six months. Read what such statements by the Hungarian leader may mean in view of yesterday’s large-scale rocket attack on Ukraine in the article by Kommersant Ukrainian “What Orban’s ‘peacekeeping tour’ and his statements about the increase in the number of victims in Ukraine in the coming months may mean”

What is Orban up to and how to explain his unexpected “peacekeeping” activity? Political experts interviewed by Kommersant Ukrainian are skeptical about the Hungarian leader’s real intentions and capabilities.