The European Union has stripped Hungary of its right to host the next meeting of foreign and defense ministers over its stance on the war in Ukraine.
A few weeks ago, Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it normally hosts, just as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this month. of anger.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Hungary’s actions should have consequences and “we have to send a signal, even a symbolic one.”
Hungary described the move as “completely childish”.
Every six months, during the new Council Presidency, EU foreign and defense ministers hold informal meetings to discuss the biggest global issues facing the EU.
The next set of meetings will be held in Budapest from August 28 to 30, but Borrell announced on Monday that they would be held in Brussels.
Citing remarks after a meeting with Putin in which Orban accused the EU of adopting 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 exception – are very critical of this behavior.
“I think it is appropriate to express this feeling and call for the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to be held in Brussels.”
Of the 26 other EU countries, only Slovakia supports Hungary in the dispute.
After the decision, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó wrote on Facebook: “Their response has been fantastic.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but it felt like kindergarten.”
Mr Orban’s meeting with Mr Putin took place part of what he calls his “peace mission” – Launched just days after Hungary took over the council chairmanship, he also visited the leaders of Ukraine and China, as well as US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The visit sparked condemnation from EU leaders, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling it “nothing more than an appeasement mission”.
Finnish Prime Minister Petri Orpo said Orban “has no right to negotiate or discuss on behalf of the EU”, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the visit “sends the wrong signal to the outside world” , is an insult to the struggle of the Ukrainian people.” For their freedom”.
The incident is one of many that have occurred since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Hungary is at odds with most other EU countries over the appropriate response.
In April 2022, just months after the invasion, when Mr Orban won re-election, he told a crowd of supporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was among those he supported. Must “fight” in his fourth term.
Last year, he used Hungary’s veto postponed €50bn (£42bn) of non-military financial aid to Ukraine.
