Hungarian Prime Minister warns EU against unified stance on Ukraine, citing strategic disagreements.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has communicated to the European Union that he will veto any collective statement supporting Ukraine, as indicated in a letter sent to
António Costa, President of the European Council.
This correspondence, dated Saturday, highlights Orbán's deep-seated concerns regarding the EU's approach to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and his insistence on the need for direct negotiations with Russia.
In the letter, Orbán pointed out the 'strategic differences' within the EU regarding the response to the war in Ukraine that he believes cannot be reconciled through mere communication.
He argues that the EU should follow the example of the United States in seeking direct talks with Russia aimed at achieving a ceasefire and sustainable peace.
This position diverges significantly from the majority view of other EU member states, which continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty in light of the ongoing conflict.
Moreover, tensions between former U.S. President
Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky escalated recently, culminating in the cancellation of a joint press conference amidst claims of disagreement over Ukraine's mineral resource negotiations.
Trump has reportedly threatened to cut off U.S. support for Ukraine’s energy grid restoration, adding another layer of complexity to the geopolitical situation.
In light of these events, Orbán suggested that the EU should refrain from attempting to pass a joint statement regarding the situation in Ukraine, as it would represent a division within the bloc.
Instead, he proposed that the EU align itself with a United Nations Security Council resolution passed on the third anniversary of the war’s onset, which calls for a general ceasefire and peace negotiations among the conflicting parties.
This stance places Orbán in an unusual position within the EU, as he appears increasingly isolated in his approach.
Other EU leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron, have publicly expressed their support for Zelensky, marking a stark contrast to Orbán's position.