The rift between Hungary and the rest of the EU over the war in Ukraine looked wider than ever on Thursday, when Budapest declined to put its name on a joint summit statement for the second time in as many weeks.
But instead of spending hours haggling with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a bid for unanimity among all 27 states as they have often done in the past at such EU gatherings, the remaining states simply pressed on.
"The European Council reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders," leaders wrote in a statement signed off by 26 countries.
Budapest had made its intentions to withhold its green light abundantly clear ahead of time.
While the EU has reacted ambivalently to US-spearheaded talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, Orbán has enthusiastically welcomed the negotiations that have largely excluded both Kyiv and the EU.
"In our understanding, there is one simple mission [for] the European Union, to support … [US] President Donald Trump's efforts to make peace," Orbán told the press on the eve of the Brussels summit, for which he did not make an official arrival statement.
The Hungarian leader, who has the warmest relationship to Moscow in the EU, argues that EU support of Ukraine prolongs the war, which started with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 to widespread international condemnation.
Equally, EU diplomats from other countries and officials told reporters there was no point wasting time pursuing an agreement that would never be found. What would have been a big deal in less turbulent times is becoming increasingly normal.
No agreement? No problem
As a matter of principle, the EU always tries to get every country on board, though it technically doesn't need to do so for a message of support with no real binding commitments, like the one signed off on Thursday.
There is plenty the rest of the EU can do without Hungary on board. The conclusions stressed commitments to keep providing cash and arms, but also the potential for EU states to help provide security guarantees - in other words, a deterrent to stop Putin from invading again once the war is over - and to keep up pressure on Russia.
With Washington apparently disengaging from Kyiv and Europe in general, top diplomat Kaja Kallas is currently working to organize a fresh pot of EU funding for Ukraine.
Source: DW
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
