International News
NATO members are at their wit’s end as Hungary continues to snub important meetings with the military alliance. In the latest incident, Hungarian officials were noticeably absent from a session attended by NATO ambassadors and military advisors stationed in Hungary. This move has sparked concerns about Hungary’s commitment to the alliance.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is set to attend a conference in Belarus, alongside his Russian and Syrian counterparts, further fueling tensions. This development comes as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seeks to reorient Hungary’s foreign policy towards economic neutrality, despite being a NATO member for 25 years. Orbán’s stance has been clear: “We must preserve our relations eastward and westward.”
U.S. Ambassador David Pressman expressed disappointment, stating, “We appreciated the opportunity to discuss Hungary’s new policy with our allies. The fact that a discussion about an ally’s ‘neutrality’ policy was necessary speaks for itself.”
Since the Ukraine war began, Hungary has voiced skepticism about Western sanctions against Russia. Recently, it even inked a deal to increase gas imports from Moscow. These actions have raised eyebrows among NATO members, who view Hungary’s stance as a departure from the alliance’s values.
The Atlantic Council experts have analyzed similar situations where NATO members have faced challenges, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation within the alliance. As tensions simmer, NATO members will be watching Hungary’s next moves closely.