- Hungary stripped of EU meeting over Ukraine stance due to its controversial stance on the war in Ukraine
- It follows a contentious meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow
- The next meetings, originally scheduled for 28-30 August in Budapest, will now be held in Brussels
- Of the 26 other countries in the EU, only Slovakia has backed Hungary in the dispute
Hungary stripped of EU meeting over Ukraine stance
The European Union has revoked Hungary’s right to host the upcoming meeting of foreign and defence ministers due to its controversial stance on the war in Ukraine. This decision comes shortly after Hungary assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union and follows a contentious meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasised the need for consequences, stating, “We have to send a signal, even if it is a symbolic signal.” Hungary has dismissed the move as “completely childish.”
Typically, the EU’s foreign and defence ministers convene informal meetings every six months under the new council presidency to discuss critical global issues. The next meetings, originally scheduled for 28-30 August in Budapest, will now be held in Brussels.
Citing comments made after the meeting with Putin in which Orban accused the EU of having a “pro-war policy”, Borrell told reporters: “If you want to talk about the war party, talk about 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 countries in the EU, only Slovakia has backed Hungary in the dispute.
