EU Cracks Down on Hungary’s Orban Over Moscow Ties
The European Union has intensified its scrutiny of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s cozying up to Russia, putting pressure on the embattled leader to explain his increasingly close ties with Moscow. The EU’s move comes amid growing concerns that Orban’s government is prioritizing its relationship with Russia over the interests of the European Union and its member states.
In recent months, Orban’s administration has been accused of undermining European values and principles, including the rule of law, democracy, and human rights, in its pursuit of closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Hungarian prime minister has been a vocal critic of the EU’s sanctions against Russia and has expressed support for Putin’s annexation of Crimea.
The EU’s fresh pressure on Orban comes as a result of a series of high-profile meetings between the Hungarian leader and Russian officials. In February, Orban met with Putin in Moscow, where they signed a number of agreements on trade, energy, and security cooperation. The visit was seen as a significant escalation of Orban’s efforts to strengthen ties with Russia, and sparked widespread concern among EU leaders and diplomats.
The EU has demanded that Orban provide transparency on his government’s dealings with Russia, particularly with regards to the country’s energy policy. Hungary is heavily reliant on Russian oil and gas imports, and there are concerns that Orban’s government may be using its relationship with Moscow to advance its own interests at the expense of the EU’s energy security.
"We expect full transparency from the Hungarian government on its relations with Russia, including any agreements or discussions related to energy, trade, or security," said a senior EU official. "The EU will not tolerate any actions that undermine the principles of our common values and the integrity of our single market."
Orban’s government has responded to the EU’s criticism by accusing Brussels of meddling in Hungary’s internal affairs. The Hungarian prime minister has also claimed that his country is simply seeking to diversify its energy supply and reduce its dependence on Russian imports.
However, many EU officials and experts remain skeptical of Orban’s motives, citing his government’s authoritarian tendencies and its history of undermining the rule of law and democratic institutions.
"This is not just about energy policy," said a senior EU diplomat. "It’s about the values and principles that underpin our union. We cannot allow one member state to undermine our shared values and principles for the sake of its own interests."
The EU’s pressure on Orban comes at a critical time, as the bloc is poised to make key decisions on its future energy policy and its relations with Russia. The EU is currently negotiating a new natural gas agreement with Russia, and there are concerns that Orban’s government may be using its influence to shape the terms of the deal in favor of Russian interests.
The standoff between the EU and Hungary highlights the growing tensions between the bloc’s member states over issues of energy policy, security, and values. As the EU prepares for a new era of uncertainty and change, the fate of its relations with Hungary and Russia will be closely watched by leaders and diplomats across the continent.
https://apnews.com/article/eu-hungary-boycott-orban-82d8c0eb200f62d7e9ef654ec7d71087