Hungary Stripped of EU Meeting Over Ukraine Stance
In a rare move, the European Union (EU) has decided to strip Hungary of its right to host an upcoming EU meeting, citing concerns over the country’s stance on Ukraine. The decision comes amid growing tensions between Hungary and its EU partners over Budapest’s opposition to the EU’s stance on Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The EU’s decision was announced on Monday, following a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels. According to sources, Hungary was set to host a meeting of the EU’s General Affairs Council, a high-level gathering of EU foreign ministers, in April. However, the EU’s Council President, Charles Michel, informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that the meeting would be relocated to a different country due to Budapest’s stance on Ukraine.
The decision was reportedly taken due to Hungary’s refusal to support the EU’s call for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Orbán has been a vocal critic of the EU’s stance on Ukraine, and has repeatedly called for a more nuanced approach to resolving the conflict. Hungary has also refused to impose sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, citing concerns over the economic impact on Hungarian businesses.
The EU’s decision to strip Hungary of its right to host the meeting is seen as a rare rebuke of a member state. In a statement, the EU Council President said that the decision was taken due to Hungary’s "failure to uphold the principles of the EU" on Ukraine.
"Hungary’s stance on Ukraine is not aligned with the EU’s position, and as such, we cannot allow them to host a meeting of the General Affairs Council," Michel said. "We expect all member states to respect the principles of the EU, including the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
The move is likely to escalate tensions between Hungary and its EU partners, who have been increasingly critical of Orbán’s government over its human rights record and alleged authoritarian tendencies. The EU has also been concerned about Hungary’s media environment, which has been criticized for being restrictive and biased towards the government.
The decision to strip Hungary of its right to host the meeting is seen as a significant blow to Orbán’s government, which has been seeking to increase its influence within the EU. The move is also likely to have implications for Hungary’s relations with other EU member states, which may be more cautious in engaging with Budapest in the future.
In response to the decision, Orbán’s government has accused the EU of being biased and unfair. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that the EU’s decision was "unjust and discriminatory", and that Hungary would not be intimidated by the move.
"This decision is a clear attempt to exert pressure on Hungary and to limit our freedom of action," Szijjártó said. "We will not be swayed by these attempts, and we will continue to stand up for our interests and values."
The EU’s decision to strip Hungary of its right to host the meeting is likely to have far-reaching implications for the country’s relations with its EU partners. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether Hungary will be able to repair its relations with the EU or whether the country will be forced to consider alternative alliances.