Viktor Orban is comfortable being the most hated person in the room if it means standing up for the nation he vowed to lead. Hungary has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, claiming that additional funding is NOT what Ukraine needs. Brussels is attempting to strong-arm Orban into agreeing to the next multi-billion euro package. “Right now, I see 26 member states that are ready to accept the conclusions about Ukraine,” an EU diplomat said on Thursday afternoon.
The general consensus seems to be that the Union will move forward without a unanimous vote. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said unanimity was “not the most important thing.” Neocon Kaja Kallas said Hungary can “speak for themselves” if they want to deny Ukraine aid. But that is precisely the problem—EU member states CANNOT speak for themselves because unelected officials in Brussels override them.
I am disappointed that Slovakia’s Robert Fico failed to support Hungary despite his numerous calls to halt funding amid the gas transit debacle AND the blatant corruption in Ukraine. Fico had previously stated he believed at least half the aid to Ukraine had been stolen. Still, Fico said that resolving the Bratislava gas transit deal would be sufficient enough for him to approve the next spending package. So now it is Orban standing alone against the rest of the EU.
Orban favors boosting Europe’s defenses but wants to focus on empowering individual members, which goes against the entire premise of the EU. “While we may disagree on the modalities of peace, we do agree that we must strengthen the defence capabilities of European nations, and these efforts should empower member states rather than Brussels bureaucrats,” Orban stated.
The bureaucrats in Brussels have silenced Orban. The next big summit will be held on March 20 and it seems as if consent is no longer needed. Ukraine First policies will be upheld no matter how it impacts actual members of the EU. Orban is not ready to leave the EU. Around 80% of Hungary’s total exports are to EU nations, with 70% coming from other EU nations. Around 28% of all exports go to Germany alone. Orban sees an EU exit as “tantamount to economic suicide.” I would not put it past the EU to implement sanctions, cut all funding, and even freeze assets if Hungary dared to leave. The nation is in an extremely tight spot and it seems as if Orban lost the backing of the only other EU leader prepared to fight for peace.
