Information
In response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s actions during Hungary’s presidency of the European Council, the European Commission has decided to implement a partial boycott. This decision follows Orban’s controversial “peace mission”, which included visits to Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing, and Washington, as well as a meeting with Donald Trump in Florida. Orban’s diplomatic moves, especially his efforts to engage with Moscow, have drawn criticism from other EU member states and NATO allies, highlighting a significant discord within the bloc. As a result, the European Commission announced that no Commissioners would attend Hungary’s Council meetings, with only high-ranking officials participating in informal gatherings, significantly reducing the usual level of interaction and cooperation during Hungary’s six-month tenure.
Further intensifying the situation, several EU countries near Russia have also chosen to limit their participation in Hungary’s EU presidency events. Countries like Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland expressed their displeasure by deciding to send only civil servants to the meetings during July, a move that underscores the widespread discontent with Orban’s approach. Meanwhile, Hungary criticized the European Commission’s decision as unfair, arguing that it undermines the rotational nature of the presidency intended to treat all member states equally. This situation underscores the complexities and tensions within the EU, particularly in how member states respond to each other’s foreign policy actions amid broader geopolitical challenges.
Source: AP, dpa, Reuters
So what
This is an unsurprising move by some European states. While Orban claims to be doing the “right thing,” the majority of EU states view his actions negatively. It appears likely that this boycott will affect any plans Hungary had for their term as leaders; it also has the effect of embarrassing Hungary on the international stage. However, it is highly unlikely that Orban will change his course; he is gaining support from other EU leaders, which has encouraged him to keep his hard line.
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