EU seeks to reduce Hungary’s influence over the bloc's policy in the next European Commission due to obstructionist behavior
The move comes as Hungary has continuously opposed Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, and has hindered Western aid efforts for Ukraine while maintaining close ties with Moscow.
Sources say that there is ‘reluctance’ to allow Hungarian officials to maintain influential positions in the European Commission. Among otbers, Oliver Varhelyi, the Hungarian European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, sparked controversy after allegedly threatening the Georgian Prime Minister.–
EU members are considering limiting Hungary’s role in the next European Commission in response to their obstruction of collective support for Ukraine. Hungary has continuously opposed Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, and has hindered Western aid efforts for Ukraine while maintaining close ties with Moscow. The EU is frustrated with the need for unanimity on support for Ukraine due to Hungary’s obstructionism, and sources indicate that there is reluctance to allow Oliver Varhelyi, the Hungarian European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, to maintain his position in the upcoming composition of the commission. Varhelyi recently sparked controversy after allegedly threatening the Georgian Prime Minister, which has further fueled doubts about his suitability for the role.
Hungary is currently obstructing $7 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, including three separate tranches under the European Peace Facility (EFF) fund and 5 billion euros allocated for the Ukraine Assistance Fund. This obstructionism has caused frustration among EU ministers as Hungary’s actions are preventing crucial support for Ukraine in the midst of ongoing conflicts. With Hungary’s continued opposition to collective aid efforts for Ukraine and their close relations with Moscow, there is growing concern within the EU about the country’s role in decision-making processes regarding Ukraine’s accession to the bloc.
The ongoing conflict between Hungary and the EU regarding support for Ukraine has escalated due to Budapest’s refusal to cooperate on important initiatives. The EU’s efforts to provide military aid and support for Ukraine are being hindered by Hungary’s actions, causing further strain on relations within the bloc. The reluctance to allow Hungarian officials to maintain influential positions in the European Commission reflects the EU’s frustration with Hungary’s obstructionism and their alignment with Moscow’s interests, complicating efforts to collectively support Ukraine in its aspirations for NATO and EU membership.
The role of Oliver Varhelyi, the Hungarian European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, is crucial in ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s accession to the EU. However, Varhelyi’s recent controversy regarding his alleged threat to the Georgian Prime Minister has raised doubts about his ability to effectively represent EU interests in relation to Ukraine. With growing skepticism about Hungary’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and its alignment with Moscow, EU members are considering limiting Hungary’s role in the next European Commission to ensure a more unified approach towards aiding Ukraine in its conflicts with Russia and pursuit of EU membership.
Despite efforts by the EU to collectively support Ukraine through initiatives like the European Peace Facility (EFF) and the Ukraine Assistance Fund, Hungary’s obstructionism is causing rifts within the bloc. The frustration among EU ministers over Hungary’s hindrance of crucial military aid for Ukraine reflects broader concerns about Hungary’s alignment with Moscow and opposition to Western sanctions and support for Ukraine. The EU’s reluctance to allow Hungarian officials to maintain influential roles in the commission highlights the growing dissatisfaction with Budapest’s actions and the need for a more cohesive approach to supporting Ukraine in its aspirations for NATO and EU membership.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between Hungary and the EU regarding support for Ukraine reflects broader tensions within the bloc over Hungary’s obstructionism and alignment with Moscow. The reluctance to allow Hungarian officials to maintain influential positions in the European Commission signals a shift towards a more unified approach to supporting Ukraine in its conflicts with Russia and pursuit of EU membership. As the EU grapples with Hungary’s hindrance of military aid initiatives for Ukraine, the need for solidarity and collective action in aiding Ukraine becomes increasingly pressing in the face of ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region.
