EU figures out strategy to bypass Hungary
(MENAFN) The European Union has found a way to bypass Hungary’s opposition to issuing joint statements on the Ukraine conflict, Politico reported on Thursday. Instead of requiring unanimous approval from all 27 member states, the EU has begun publishing formal European Council conclusions signed by only 26 members, effectively excluding Hungary.
During Thursday’s European Council meeting in Brussels, Hungary refused to endorse a statement reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and continuing weapons deliveries. In response, the EU released a document signed by the remaining 26 members, a strategy that Politico suggests will now become a regular practice.
A senior EU diplomat described the move as “the new normal”, stating that while it works for political messaging, it may create further complications down the road. Another top EU official acknowledged Hungary’s continued divergence from the bloc’s position but emphasized that the EU would move forward regardless.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly criticized EU military aid to Ukraine and advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, was accused by one EU diplomat of choosing "isolation and illiberal democracy" over the bloc’s strategic interests.
However, Hungary’s exclusion from joint statements does not remove its ability to veto key EU policy decisions, as major actions still require unanimous support from all 27 member states.
Following the summit, Orban told Hungarian radio that he saw in the eyes of other EU leaders that they “know Ukraine has lost the war.” He argued that supporting Kiev was a mistake and reiterated that Hungary was right in opposing deeper EU involvement.
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