The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has revoked Hungary’s right to host the upcoming foreign and defence ministers’ meeting due to its position on the war in Ukraine.
This decision follows Hungary’s recent assumption of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, a role that typically involves hosting such events.
The move comes amid dissatisfaction with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Borrell stated that Hungary’s actions necessitate consequences and emphasized the need for a symbolic gesture. Hungary has dismissed the decision as “completely childish.”
Under each new council presidency, the EU’s foreign and defence ministers usually hold informal meetings every six months to address major global issues. The next meeting, originally scheduled to take place in Budapest from August 28-30, will now be held in Brussels.
Borrell criticized Orbán’s remarks, made after the Moscow meeting, where Orbán accused the EU of pursuing a “pro-war policy,” and suggested that if Orbán wants to discuss a “war party,” he should address Putin.
“I can say that all member states – with one single exception – are very much critical about this behaviour.
“I think it was… appropriate to show this feeling and to call for the next foreign and defence council meetings in Brussels.”
Of the 26 other EU countries, only Slovakia has supported Hungary in the dispute. Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel expressed his intention to travel to Budapest, arguing that a boycott would be “nonsense” and that engaging in dialogue was preferable to ignoring or avoiding the issue.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggested that the August meeting be held in western Ukraine, but this proposal was blocked by Budapest. In response to Borrell’s decision, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized it on Facebook, calling it a “fantastic response” and likening it to “being in a kindergarten.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s meeting with Vladimir Putin was part of a broader “peace mission,” which also included visits to leaders in Ukraine, China, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the US.
The trip drew criticism from EU leaders, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling it “nothing but an appeasement mission.” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated that Orbán lacked a mandate to negotiate or discuss on behalf of the EU, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the trip sent “the wrong signal to the outside world” and insulted the Ukrainian people’s fight for freedom.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of disagreement between Hungary and much of the EU over responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Following his re-election in April 2022, Orbán referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as one of the figures he would need to “battle” during his fourth term.
Last year, Orbán used Hungary’s veto power to delay a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine.
