Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's self-proclaimed "peace mission" trips to Russia and China have drawn criticism from EU partners, leading to the relocation of a strategic EU meeting from Budapest to Brussels. The move underscores the bloc's concerns over Orbán's potential appeasement strategy towards Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has embarked on a series of "peace mission" trips to various countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, China, and the United States, with the stated aim of brokering an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. However, Orbán's actions have drawn criticism from EU partners, who see them as undermining the bloc's support for Kyiv.
Orbán's critics accuse him of acting against the unity and interests of the EU and NATO, of which Hungary is a member. They argue that his trips to Moscow and Beijing send the wrong message, potentially emboldening Russia and undermining the EU's collective response to the war. Hungary's refusal to endorse EU sanctions on Moscow and its opposition to military aid for Ukraine have further strained relations with its EU partners.
EU Rejects Hungary's "Peace Mission" Amid Concerns Over Potential Russian Appeasement
In response to Orbán's actions, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell announced that a strategic EU meeting, originally scheduled to be held in Budapest in late August, will be relocated to Brussels. Borrell stated that the move was necessary to send a "signal" against Hungary's perceived undermining of EU unity on the Ukraine issue.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó condemned the decision to relocate the meeting, calling it "fantastic revenge." He defended Orbán's recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, arguing that Hungary was uniquely positioned to communicate with both warring parties and facilitate peace.
EU Rejects Hungary's "Peace Mission" Amid Concerns Over Potential Russian Appeasement
Slovakia's deputy foreign minister was the only EU official to publicly offer support for Hungary's "peace mission." However, Borrell noted that the majority of EU member states had been divided between those who wished to attend the meeting in Budapest and those who did not.
Orbán's "peace mission" appears to align with his long-standing pro-Russia stance. He has repeatedly criticized the West's handling of the Ukraine crisis and called for a negotiated settlement favorable to Russia. His critics argue that his agenda is driven by a desire to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin and potentially undermine the unity of the EU and NATO.
The EU faces a dilemma in dealing with Hungary. While critical of Orbán's recent actions, the bloc is also reluctant to take punitive measures that could further isolate Hungary and potentially drive it closer to Russia. The relocation of the strategic EU meeting reflects the EU's efforts to balance its concerns over Hungary's behavior with its desire to maintain unity within the bloc.
Orbán's "peace mission" has caused significant diplomatic fallout within the EU. Several EU nations and the European Commission have announced that their top officials will boycott informal EU meetings hosted by Hungary, sending civil servants instead. These boycotts underscore the growing divide between Hungary and its EU partners over the Ukraine crisis.
The relocation of the strategic EU meeting from Budapest to Brussels is a significant development that reflects the growing concerns within the EU over Hungary's perceived appeasement strategy towards Russia. Orbán's "peace mission" has drawn criticism from his EU partners, who argue that it undermines the bloc's support for Ukraine and potentially emboldens Russia. The EU faces a difficult balancing act in dealing with Hungary, with the potential for further diplomatic fallout in the coming months.
