Hungary accuses EU of being "not prepared for peace" in Ukraine

Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has made a striking allegation that several European Union foreign ministers have openly conceded the bloc is "not prepared for peace" regarding the war in Ukraine. Speaking after an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Szijjarto criticized what he described as a takeover by "fanaticism" in the EU's capital and warned that the union's policy of funding the conflict is a dangerous path. His comments underscore a deep and growing rift within the EU, as Hungary continues to pursue a foreign policy course starkly at odds with the consensus on major issues like Ukraine and migration.

A stark warning from Budapest

In a blunt interview following the high-level diplomatic gathering, Minister Szijjarto revealed that the skepticism about the EU's commitment to a peaceful resolution was voiced explicitly. "At today’s Foreign Affairs Council, several foreign ministers openly said for the first time that the European Union is not prepared for peace," he stated. He argued this admission highlights a fundamental flaw in the bloc's approach. "It is very dangerous what the European Union is doing regarding the war. It’s very dangerous that they are sending and spending the money of the European people on the war," Szijjarto added, framing the EU's financial and military support for Ukraine as an obstacle to diplomacy rather than a path to security.

Broader context of Hungary's EU dissent

This latest criticism is not an isolated incident but part of a consistent pattern from the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Hungary has long positioned itself as a dissenting voice within the EU and NATO, advocating for a ceasefire and negotiations in Ukraine while refusing to allow weapons transfers across its border. Orbán's government argues it is defending Hungarian interests and sovereignty against what it perceives as a forced consensus. This stance has frequently brought Budapest into conflict with other member states and EU institutions, which view unity as paramount in countering Russian aggression.

Escalating bilateral feud with Ukraine

The minister's remarks come amidst a significant new deterioration in Hungary's already strained bilateral relations with Ukraine. The diplomatic spat intensified after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos containing remarks widely interpreted as a critique of Orbán. Subsequently, the Hungarian government summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to Budapest, accusing Kyiv of attempting to interfere in Hungary's internal affairs and elections. This cycle of recrimination further complicates EU cohesion and highlights the challenges of maintaining a unified front as the war persists.