The European Union has stripped Hungary of the best to host the subsequent assembly of overseas and defence ministers over its stance on the battle in Ukraine.
It comes weeks after Hungary assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union, a task during which it will usually host the occasion, and amid anger over a gathering Prime Minister Viktor Orban held with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this month.
The EU’s overseas coverage chief, Josep Borrell, mentioned Hungary’s actions ought to have penalties and that “we’ve to ship a sign, even when it’s a symbolic sign”.
Hungary described the transfer as “fully infantile”.
Each six months, beneath every new council presidency, the EU’s overseas and defence ministers maintain casual conferences to debate the largest international points dealing with the bloc.
The subsequent set of conferences will happen on 28-30 August and had been to be held in Budapest, however on Monday Mr Borrell introduced they’d as a substitute happen in Brussels.
Citing feedback made after the assembly with Mr Putin during which Mr Orban accused the EU of getting a “pro-war coverage”, Mr Borrell informed reporters: “If you wish to discuss concerning the battle get together, speak about Putin.
“I can say that every one member states – with one single exception – are very a lot vital about this behaviour.
“I feel it was… applicable to point out this sense and to name for the subsequent overseas and defence council conferences in Brussels.”
Of the 26 different international locations within the EU, solely Slovakia has backed Hungary within the dispute.
Following the choice, Hungarian Overseas Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on Fb: “What a improbable response they’ve provide you with.
“I do not wish to harm anybody’s emotions, however it appears like being in a kindergarten.”
Mr Orban’s assembly with Mr Putin got here as part of what he described as a “peace mission” – launched days after Hungary assumed the council presidency – that additionally noticed him visiting the leaders of Ukraine and China in addition to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump within the US.
The journey sparked condemnation from leaders throughout the EU, with European Fee chief Ursula von der Leyen describing it as “nothing however an appeasement mission”.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo mentioned Mr Orban had “no mandate to barter or talk about on behalf of the EU”, whereas Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson mentioned the journey despatched “the improper sign to the skin world and is an insult to the Ukrainian folks’s combat for his or her freedom”.
The episode is one in all quite a few events since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on which Hungary has been at odds with many of the remainder of the EU concerning the applicable response.
After successful re-election in April 2022, simply months after the invasion, Mr Orban informed a crowd of supporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was among the many folks he would have to “battle” in his fourth time period.
Final yr, he repeatedly used Hungary’s veto to delay a €50bn (£42bn) package deal of non-military monetary support to Ukraine.
