The European Union may boycott the upcoming summit of foreign ministers in Hungary, potentially organising an alternative meeting in response to Hungary’s unilateral foreign policy actions.
This development follows Hungary’s recent controversial diplomatic engagements, including unapproved visits to Russia and China, which have drawn criticism from other EU member states.
Hungary, currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council, has scheduled a summit of foreign ministers in Budapest for 28-29 August. This event is seen by some as an opportunity for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to influence the EU’s foreign policy agenda, while Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó would also be in the spotlight.
However, Orbán’s recent actions, particularly his obstruction of aid to Ukraine and uncoordinated diplomatic visits to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have prompted significant concerns among EU ministers.
These visits, termed “peace missions” by Orbán, were not coordinated with the other 26 EU leaders, leading many foreign ministers to seek ways to avoid participating in what they perceive as a potential “propaganda show.”
According to Politico, three EU diplomats revealed that the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, is planning to convene an “official” meeting of foreign ministers coinciding with Orbán’s summit. This move would ensure that ministers attend Borrell’s meeting instead of travelling to Budapest.
“If there is an official meeting organised by the High Representative on the same day, ministers will not be able to go to Budapest,” stated one diplomat.
Another source emphasised that boycotting the Budapest meeting would send a clear message that Hungary does not speak on behalf of the EU.
Background
On 2 July, Orbán made his first visit to Kyiv since Hungary assumed the EU Council presidency, followed by a visit to Moscow where he met with Putin.
Orbán described this trip to Russia as a “peace mission” and posted a photo on social media from the Vnukovo government terminal, prominently featuring the “Moscow” sign. His press office added the logo of Hungary’s EU presidency to the photo, despite Brussels’ insistence that Orbán was representing only Hungary on this trip.
Orbán described this trip to Russia as a “peace mission” and posted a photo on social media from the Vnukovo government terminal, prominently featuring the “Moscow” sign and the logo of Hungary’s EU presidency.
Following Moscow, Orbán travelled to Azerbaijan for an informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic States and then to China, where he met with Xi Jinping and announced further visits. These moves have prompted discussions within the EU about possible repercussions for Hungary and its government, including the potential premature end of Hungary’s EU Council presidency.
On 8 July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky explained why Orbán could not act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia.
After his trip to Moscow, Orbán disclosed that he had kept these plans hidden from Western allies until the last moment and promised more “unexpected meetings” in the near future.
