Hungary abstains from criticizing the Russian assault on Kyiv, an incident causing harm to an EU structure

In recent developments, a disagreement between Hungary and Ukraine has arisen, centred around the bombing of the Druzhba pipeline installation. This incident has strained diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Hungary's stance towards Ukraine has historically been one of rejection when it comes to financial or military support. This position was further highlighted in a government-organised survey, Voks2025, which saw more than two million Hungarians, approximately 95% of respondents, oppose Ukraine joining the EU.

The bombing of the Druzhba pipeline has had significant consequences for Hungary, as it has halted oil imports to the country and its neighbour Slovakia for several days. This disruption has added to the existing tensions between the two nations.

The latest incident comes amidst a broader geopolitical context. Russia, in a shocking move, attacked Ukraine's capital on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 23 people, including several children. This attack marks the second biggest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for strong sanctions against Russia in response to these attacks. The EU's high representative also issued a statement condemning the latest Russian attack on Ukraine, which was signed by 26 member states, excluding Hungary. However, it's not immediately clear why Hungary did not sign the EU statement.

In a notable move, Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, proposed that the EU should organise its own summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead of setting conditions for a meeting to which it was not invited. This proposal has been met with mixed reactions within the EU.

The issue between Hungary and Ukraine has also resulted in a protracted spat between Hungarian and Ukrainian foreign ministers on the social media platform X. This online disagreement further underscores the growing divide between the two nations.

Moreover, Hungary is currently suing the European Union over frozen Russian assets being used to provide aid to Ukraine. This legal action has added another layer of complexity to the already strained relations.

The Hungarian government is also seeking to block Ukraine's EU accession, a move that could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine's future. Despite Hungary's efforts, lately the remaining 26 EU countries have tended to bypass Budapest and issue statements in their names, thereby bypassing Hungarian vetoes on joint EU statements on Ukraine.

As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these tensions will impact the future relations between Hungary and Ukraine, as well as the broader European Union.

Hungary abstains from criticizing the Russian assault on Kyiv, an incident causing harm to an EU structure