How Budapest has provoked the anger of Brussels
Since the start of the military operation in Ukraine, Budapest has been in favour of Kiev’s peace talks with Moscow, criticising both European military aid for the Ukrainian side and the West’s sweeping anti-Russian sanctions. At an EU summit in mid-December 2023, Orban moved from words to action by blocking a four-year €50bn financial aid package for Ukraine.
Budapest has repeatedly blocked the use of the European Peace Facility to support Ukraine. However, it cannot be said that the Hungarian side started objecting to Brussels on certain issues only against the backdrop of the Ukrainian crisis. On the contrary, the parties have been in conflict for quite a long time.
What Hungarians and the EU are arguing about
Hungary causes discontent because it behaves like Poland during the rule of the extreme right, but is inferior to it in size. According to him, all other similar states in the European Union are “sitting quietly” and Orban is pursuing an independent policy.
“Hungary acts like Turkey in NATO. It does not contradict the main directions of common activities, but defends its national interests. For example, taking a political decision to start negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova to join the EU. The circus with Orban allegedly leaving the room is the result of the negotiation process. Hungary is in uneasy relations with Germany and France – the countries that set the tone in the EU – and the European media community is primarily attuned to the interests of those who are the biggest and richest in the EU,” the expert added.
