In a critical meeting, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto engaged with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the pressing need for resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. This dialogue, highlighted by the US State Department, underscores the significant emphasis on achieving peace and stability in the region amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
US-Ukraine relations in turmoil
This discussion occurs at a time of heightened uncertainty regarding US-Ukraine relations, particularly following a contentious meeting last week between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office. The outcome of that meeting has placed additional strain on military aid to Kyiv, which has faced a temporary halt.
While many European nations have rallied around Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, Hungary has taken a distinct stance under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Hungarian government has been vocal in its criticism of the European Union’s strategies regarding Ukraine and has threatened to veto proposed sanctions against Russia, although it has consistently opted to support them in the end.
Hungary’s position ahead of EU summit
During Szijjarto’s meeting with Rubio, the backdrop of Hungary’s potential opposition to a unified EU statement on Ukraine was made evident, especially with an extraordinary summit approaching. This summit aims to focus on both Ukraine and bolstering EU defense capabilities.
In a recent summit held in London, leaders from the UK, France, Canada, and other EU member states discussed the potential formation of a “coalition of the willing” to send troops to Ukraine should a peace agreement be reached. The consensus among these leaders included a commitment to maintaining military assistance for Ukraine while ensuring that any negotiations respect its sovereignty.
“The Secretary underlined the urgency of ending the war in Ukraine and ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.”
In response to the London summit’s proposals, Prime Minister Orbán expressed strong opposition, accusing the leaders of perpetuating the conflict rather than pursuing peace. Since the onset of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, EU member states have notably increased their defense budgets.
Moreover, as part of an ambitious Rearm Europe Plan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that member countries might collectively raise up to €800 billion to significantly enhance their defense capabilities.