EU Cancels Budapest Foreign Ministers’ Meeting After Orban’s ‘Peace Mission’ to Moscow
The recent visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow has caused a stir among Western officials.
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has canceled a scheduled meeting of EU foreign ministers in Budapest following Orban’s visit to Russia without authorization from Brussels.
Borrell explained that the meeting, originally planned for late August, will now take place in Brussels, the EU’s headquarters.
Hungary took over the EU’s rotating presidency on July 1, enabling it to host high-profile events and meetings. However, Brussels clarified that this role does not permit Hungarian officials, including Orban, to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the EU.
Borrell also dismissed Orban’s accusations that the EU was promoting a “pro-war” stance towards Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine, suggesting that it is Putin who should be considered “pro-war” instead.
Despite ongoing tensions, Hungary under Orban has maintained a relatively positive relationship with Moscow, diverging from the EU’s stance on Ukraine. Orban, along with Slovakia’s prime minister, is among the few EU leaders advocating for peaceful negotiations to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Orban’s critics within the EU have accused him of being too cozy with Moscow, undermining the bloc’s efforts to isolate Russia internationally while Budapest insists on seeking a solution to end the conflict.
The decision to relocate the foreign ministers’ meeting comes after Orban’s unofficial “peace mission” to Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing, and the US. During these visits, he engaged in discussions with leaders from each country on pursuing peace in Ukraine.
Orban’s diplomatic endeavors have sparked controversy among Western leaders, with some viewing them as inappropriate. The situation has led to diplomatic tensions and downgrades in participation from several EU members in meetings arranged by Hungary during its EU presidency.
The EU’s rotating presidency will be held by Hungary until Dec. 31, after which Poland will assume the role.
Reuters contributed to this report.
