COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Hungary’s signature is missing from a European statement condemning this week’s Russian strikes on Ukraine.
The large-scale Russian attack, occurring just before a meeting of European Union foreign and defense ministers in Copenhagen, severely damaged the bloc’s own delegation in Kyiv as well as the British Council’s offices and other civilian infrastructure, reports 24brussels.
EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, issued a statement on Friday denouncing what she termed a “deliberate escalation” and warned that these assaults could be classified as war crimes.
Wednesday’s attacks on Kyiv and additional Ukrainian cities reportedly resulted in at least 23 civilian deaths, with many more injured.
While twenty-six EU member states endorsed the declaration, Hungary notably refrained from signing.
Several EU diplomats indicated that Hungary objected to language calling for “Russia must stop the killing and show a genuine interest in peace.”
The Hungarian government has not yet provided a comment on this development.
Historically, Budapest has hindered EU statements regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine, frequently softening phrases or preventing consensus.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary has forged closer ties with Russia than any other EU leader, citing energy security and the need for ongoing dialogue.
The EU26 statement issued on Friday reaffirmed a commitment to enhance support for Ukraine and hasten preparations for the bloc’s 19th sanctions package, aimed at intensifying pressure on Moscow to terminate the conflict.
Hungary’s refusal to sign underscores the EU’s enduring challenges in achieving consensus on foreign policy matters, a topic likely to arise in discussions this Saturday among EU foreign ministers regarding the bloc’s operational mechanisms.
