Hungary faces more criticism and boycotted meetings over Orbán's visits to Russia and China
Some European Union leaders are protesting what they see as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s misuse of the bloc’s rotating presidency by boycotting a meeting hosted by Hungary
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Some European Union leaders protested on Tuesday what they see as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's misuse of the bloc's rotating presidency, with many including those in the EU's executive commission boycotting an informal meeting hosted by Hungary in response to Orbán's actions.
Officials are angry that Orbán, a nationalist populist who is seen as having the warmest ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin among EU leaders, made unannounced trips to Moscow and Beijing earlier this month on what he called a “peace mission” aimed at brokering an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Orbán said he was seeking the quickest path to peace in Ukraine and portrayed himself as uniquely positioned to communicate with both warring parties. He also met last week with former U.S. President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago compound and expressed confidence that Trump would quickly “solve” the conflict.
But Orbán's EU partners were startled by the appearance that he was acting on behalf of the 27-member bloc during his meetings with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and worried that he was undermining EU unity on support for Ukraine. Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council from July to December 2024.
