“The thing that shocks me fundamentally is that while Ukraine is defending itself against the might of the Russian army, Hungarians used to understand what it’s like … I would’ve expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine,” he said.
Instead, he alleged Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has painted Kyiv as the enemy, and “now is trying to exploit that” narrative to win an April general election. Orbán, who has been in power for almost two decades, is trailing in the polls against an ascendant opposition.
While Wadephul said he would “urge [Hungary] to rethink their position” in today’s meeting, and Budrys called for an “open and honest discussion,” several foreign ministers expressed skepticism that they would be able to sway Budapest anytime soon.
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warned: “I think there is not going to be progress regarding this today, but we will definitely make this push.”
Romania Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu concurred. “I’m not sure if it’s gonna be tomorrow or this week,” she said, referring to approving the sanctions. But she added more optimistically: “We have seen similar situations in the past and we have overcome them. That is why it’s called the 20th package of sanctions.”
Hungary has blocked previous packages of sanctions against Russia and tranches of aid for Ukraine, but has ultimately begrudgingly backed off in exchange for concessions.
“I hope that Europe can deliver, that tomorrow it won’t be the situation when we will be saying, ‘We are sorry, 20th package is not there,’” Budrys said.
Milena Wälde contributed to this report.