Hungary has blocked over 40% of the European Union’s decisions regarding aid to Ukraine, including the European Peace Facility and the initiation of Ukraine’s EU accession process. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister views Hungary’s actions as a systematic approach to obstructing the EU’s efforts to play a significant role in foreign policy. The Lithuanian minister has called on EU member states to find ways to circumvent the blockages and continue to act as a united community for effective functioning.
Hungary has blocked nearly half of the EU’s decisions regarding aid to Ukraine. EU member states need to find a way to bypass this situation. This was stated by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.
Hungary Blocks Decisions
The Lithuanian minister urged for greater transparency regarding Hungary’s position. He cited specific data on Hungary’s blocking of decisions after analysis. It turned out that about 41% of EU decisions on Ukraine were blocked by Hungary. The European Peace Facility is blocked, the start of EU accession is currently delayed, and negotiations on Ukraine’s EU membership have become “hostage” to Hungary. I could go on: the declaration on Georgia, the European Peace Facility for Armenia, – said the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.
Gabrielius Landsbergis said that discussions and necessary decisions in the EU are being blocked by just one country. The Lithuanian minister said that such actions should be considered as a systematic approach to obstructing the EU’s efforts to play a significant role as a foreign policy player.
We must find a way to truly act as a community to bypass this because if we don’t counteract it, we will simply be stuck, ineffective, and unable to move forward even in areas that are vital to us, – the minister stated.
Hungary and the EU
- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that for a year, the EU has been unable to disburse tranches for military aid from the European Peace Facility due to Hungary’s position. She urgently called on the country to unblock the decision.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán believes that Russia is unlikely to attack any NATO members. He stated that if the Russians had enough strength to defeat Ukraine, they would have done so. This, in his opinion, means that the Kremlin “cannot just swallow the West whole.” He argues that statements about a Russian attack are needed to draw Europe into the war.
- The European Union plans to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession in June, but Hungary opposes this. Hungary insists that the process should be merit-based, without exceptions.
