Lindner criticizes Orban's 'lone wolf' - EU partners pressure Hungary regarding Ukraine
Hungary should know that peace and freedom order of Europe as a whole is being defended in Ukraine, said Lindner in the public debate. During Hungary's EU-Presidency until the end of the year, this should remain a "Top-Priority." Hungary's Finance Minister Mihaly Varga previously presented seven priorities from fighting illegal migration to competitiveness, but Ukraine was not mentioned.
The Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson expressed her anger. That Orban traveled alone to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin was "an insult not only for Ukraine, but also for all the other 26 member states."
Orban had already irritated EU partners at the beginning of the Hungarian Presidency from July 1st with his self-appointed "Peace Mission." Orban visited Putin in Russia, as well as former US President Donald Trump in Florida and Chinese State Council Chairman Xi Jinping in Beijing.
In response, the EU Commission announced on Monday a boycott of informal ministerial meetings under Hungarian presidency. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's spokesman Eric Mamer said, "In light of the latest developments, the Commissioners and Commissioners will not travel to Hungary." Instead, only officials will participate.
Lindner and German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) are also considering whether they will travel to councils in September. EU High Representative Josep Borrell will discuss with European Foreign Ministers on Monday whether an informal meeting in Budapest at the end of August should be relocated to Brussels.
- Christian Lindner, the FDP leader, emphasized that the EU's collective peace and freedom in Ukraine should be a primary focus during Hungary's EU presidency.
- Despite this, Hungary's Finance Minister Mihaly Varga did not include Ukraine among the seven priorities he presented during Hungary's EU presidency.
- Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, visited Vladimir Putin in Russia, which was seen as an insult by several EU members, including Sweden.
- Elisabeth Svantesson, Sweden's Finance Minister, expressed her anger towards Orban's solo journey to Russia to meet Putin, considering it an affront not only to Ukraine but also to the other 26 EU member states.
- The EU Commission decided to boycott informal ministerial meetings under Hungary's presidency in response to Orban's actions.
- Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President, instructed her spokesman, Eric Mamer, to convey this decision, stating that Commissioners and Commissioners would not travel to Hungary.
- Instead, only EU officials will participate in these meetings, and key figures like Lindner and German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) are considering whether to attend in September.
- EU High Representative Josep Borrell will discuss with European Foreign Ministers to decide whether an informal meeting in Budapest at the end of August should be relocated to Brussels.
- Hungary, as an EU partner, should be aware that its actions can significantly impact its relations with other members, particularly when it comes to controversial issues like its ties with Russia and Ukraine.
