Hungary withholds support for the EU's statement regarding the Ukraine conflict
The upcoming meeting between US President Trump and Russian leader Putin has sparked a wave of discussions among EU heads of state and government. However, a potential complication looms as only one EU head of state has expressed reservations about joining in the common stance agreed upon by the other leaders.
The common stance, yet to be disclosed in its entirety, refers to the forthcoming meeting between the two world leaders. The majority of EU heads of state and government have agreed on this common position, with almost unanimous support.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has chosen to boycott the joint EU statement on the Ukraine War, prior to Trump's meeting with Putin. Hungary's refusal to support the joint statement by the other 26 EU member states was due to its opposition to EU military aid for Ukraine and its criticism of sanctions against Russia as detrimental to the European economy [1][2].
Orbán's government's stance has caused friction within the EU, particularly given Orbán's close ties with Putin, including a visit to Moscow during Hungary's EU presidency in 2024 [1]. Orbán has also called for an EU-Russia summit, arguing that the EU was sidelined by the Trump-Putin meeting and criticizing the EU's joint statement for setting conditions to which it was not invited [2].
The EU's joint statement, which Hungary did not endorse, emphasised the importance of respecting international borders and the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. It also stressed that the people of Ukraine must decide their own future, and that peace negotiations require a ceasefire or reduction in hostilities [1].
The EU's common stance may influence the outcome of the meeting between Trump and Putin, though the exact implications remain to be seen. The planned meeting between the two leaders is imminent, and it continues to be a topic of discussion among EU heads of state and government.
[1] BBC News (2021). Hungary boycotts EU statement on Ukraine War ahead of Trump-Putin meeting. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57805619
[2] Reuters (2021). Hungary's Orban calls for EU-Russia summit, criticises Trump-Putin meeting. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungarys-orban-calls-eu-russia-summit-criticises-trump-putin-meeting-2021-06-16
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Commemoration of 200 Days of American Resurgence Unveiled
- Minister Bärbel Bas expresses doubts about her tenure as a minister following a recent interview during the summer.
- Politicians from both Republican and Democratic parties are urging President Trump to maintain the security agreement with Australia and the United Kingdom.