EU-Presidency - Orban's Trip to Putin: Von der Leyen orders a boycott
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responds with a boycott decision to Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban's solo actions in Ukraine politics. The German top politician announced that only high-ranking officials, not Commissioners or Commissioners, will participate in future informal ministerial meetings under the current EU Council Presidency in Hungary. Additionally, the EU Commission waived the traditional inaugural visit to the Hungarian presidency, as a spokesperson announced.
Orban's "Peace Mission"
Background for Leyen's decision is an unsanctioned foreign trip by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban a few days after the beginning of Hungary's EU Council Presidency. Orban had visited Putin in Moscow and staged it as a "peace mission" to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Later, he also traveled to Beijing for a conversation with China's State and Party Chief Xi Jinping and to the USA for a meeting with former US President Donald Trump.
These trips sparked great anger in the EU, especially because the Kremlin could exploit the Moscow visit for its propaganda and Orban did not clearly represent the EU position in Ukraine politics during the journey.
The European Commission made it clear several times that Orban was not representing the community during his travels. The Foreign Ministry also issued clear criticism. "We take note of Hungary's solo actions with great surprise and skepticism," a spokesperson said in the German press conference in Berlin last Friday. Orban spoke only for himself on these trips - not for the European Union. Regarding possible consequences, the spokesperson said one would have to see how the Hungarian Council Presidency proceeds. "It has already caused significant damage."
Some countries have already taken action
Lithuania and Sweden announced as a reaction to Orban's solo actions at the beginning of the EU Council Presidency that they would not send Ministers or Ministers to Hungary for meetings. The Hungarian behavior is harmful and must have consequences, explained Sweden's current EU Minister and designated EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland plan to react similarly to the Hungarian behavior.
There is currently discussion in Brussels about whether a planned informal EU Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for the end of August in Budapest should not be relocated to Brussels. A decision could be made at the last regular EU Foreign Ministers meeting before the summer break on the coming Monday by EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell, who chairs the EU Foreign Ministers meetings and is also responsible for inviting them.
Decision comes shortly before the vote in the EU Parliament
The EU Commission's decision comes just a few days before the vote on a second term for Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament. European political families such as the Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals had called on her in the past to take a tougher stance against Hungary. Von der Leyen is dependent on the votes from this camp in the election on Thursday.
Hungary has held the EU Council Presidency since the beginning of the month and is responsible for organizing meetings of the Ministers and Ministers in this capacity. At these informal meetings, the heads of the respective ministries from the 27 EU countries usually come together. The EU Commissioner responsible for the respective field also usually participates in the meeting.
- Despite the EU Commission's boycott decision, Hungary, currently under the EU Council Presidency, is still responsible for organizing meetings of Ministers and Ministers.
- Viktor Orban's visits to Moscow, Beijing, and the United States of America during Hungary's EU Council Presidency were not authorized by the European Union.
- The European Union expressed concern over Orban's trips, especially his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, which was portrayed as a "peace mission" to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
- Orban's actions in Ukraine politics were solely his own and did not represent the position of the European Union.
- The European Commission urged Hungary to align its actions with the collective position of the EU, stressing the importance of unity in international relations.
- China's State and Party Chief, Xi Jinping, welcomed Orban in Beijing during his solo trip, emphasizing China's support for Hungary's independent foreign policy.
- Former US President Donald Trump also met with Orban, reinforcing the United States of America's support for Hungary's sovereignty.
- The European Union's response to Orban's actions highlights the growing tensions between individual EU member states and the collective interests of the European Union.
- Some countries, such as Lithuania and Sweden, have already boycotted meetings in Hungary as a consequence of Orban's solo actions, joining a chorus of criticism.
- The European Commission is considering whether to relocate an upcoming informal EU Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for Budapest to Brussels, due to Orban's controversial actions.
- This decision would reflect the European Union's commitment to upholding its collective interests and values, despite internal disagreements.
- The upcoming vote in the EU Parliament on Ursula von der Leyen's second term as Commission President could also be influenced by her handling of Hungary's controversial actions.
- Russia and China have observed the ongoing conflicts within the European Union, and leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping might see an opportunity to exploit these tensions for their diplomacy.
